CHICAGO – A Mexican Independence Day celebration took a turn for the worse when an Illinois State Police (ISP) squad car was struck by a Jeep Friday night.
According to Illinois State Police reports it happened around 10:40 p.m., while stationed at the Interstate 90 southbound ramp to Washington Street in Cook County, an ISP Troop 3 Trooper had angled his vehicle to block traffic for the festivities. The Trooper momentarily repositioned his car, letting an emergency vehicle through, when 31-year-old Jose M. Lazo from Chicago reportedly tried to drive onto the ramp. His front bumper collided with the squad car’s rear.
Both the Trooper and Lazo emerged unscathed. Lazo faced citations for violating Scott’s Law by improperly passing an emergency vehicle and also for having an expired license.
This incident marks the 14th Scott’s Law-related crash this year. Last year saw 23 similar accidents, injuring eight Troopers. As a response, ISP is intensifying its public reminder about the “Move Over Law” or Scott’s Law, urging drivers to slow down and move over near emergency vehicles.
