An Illinois State trooper lost her life yesterday when she was struck by a semi truck while conducting a roadside commercial vehicle inspection.
The incident happened on Thursday, March 28 in Stephenson County, Illinois.
According to a news release from the Illinois State Police:
“This afternoon, March 28, 2019, at approximately 11:24 a.m., Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, #5966, was inspecting a commercial motor vehicle on United States Route 20 westbound, just west of Illinois Route 75 in Stephenson County. At approximately 12:20 p.m., Trooper Jones-Story was outside her squad car when she was struck and fatally wounded when a truck tractor semi-trailer combination struck her squad car and the semi Trooper Jones-Story was inspecting.”
Trooper Jones-Story was 34 and a 12 year veteran Illinois State Police District 16 in Pecatonica.
Thursday's crash adds to an alarming trend with at least 15 state troopers being hit along Illinois roads so far in 2019 – a number that's nearly double the total of eight troopers struck in all of 2018. https://t.co/wXBQBXatJX
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) March 29, 2019
The truck driver was cited for improper lane usage and for failing to obey the move-over law or “Scott’s Law.”
“Today is a dark day for the Illinois State Police family. This is the six-year anniversary of the death of another Trooper, and now another brave soul, Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, has made the ultimate sacrifice for people of this state. At this very moment, the men and women of the ISP are responding and focused on the job and mission, because that’s what Trooper Jones-Story would do,” stated Acting Director Kelly.
Thursday’s crash marked the 15th time that an Illinois State trooper has been hit by a vehicle in 2019. Prior to Jones-Story’s death, the Illinois State Police had announced that they would be devoting thousands of extra manpower hours to heavy enforcement of Scott’s Law.
The fatal collision happened on the 6 year anniversary of the death of Illinois State Trooper James Sauter, who was fatally struck by a semi truck while sitting in his cruiser.
We will forever remember our brother. #MoveOver #SlowDown
— IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice) March 28, 2019