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Parked Illinois trooper struck by truck that drove through barricades in I-74 construction zone

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Illinois State Police (ISP) are reminding drivers to obey Scott’s Law after a trooper’s cruiser was seriously damaged when it was hit by a truck on Wednesday

The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on March 8 on westbound I-74 at Exit 197 in Champaign County as all traffic was being diverted off the interstate for construction.

An ISP trooper was stationary inside a cruiser parked behind several construction barricades with lights activated.

“A brown 2023 Mack truck tractor hauling three truck tractor units, traveling westbound, failed to follow the designated traffic diversion, drove through the barricades, struck the Exit 197 sign, and then struck the rear and driver side of the ISP squad car,” ISP said.

The trooper was hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Mack truck, 46 year old Thomas Mbongo of Urbana, Illinois, was issued citations for:

  • Scott’s Law – Failure To Yield To Stationary Emergency Vehicle
  • Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident

“So far this year, ISP had eight Move Over Law-related crashes. In 2022, ISP had 23 Move Over Law-related crashes where eight Troopers sustained injuries. ISP is reminding the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, otherwise known as “Scott’s Law”. When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over. A person who violates Scott’s Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years,” ISP stated.

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