Crime & Safety
Illinois Traffic Update: 13th State Police Move Over Crash of 2026
Rock Falls, IL — An Illinois State Police squad vehicle was struck by a box truck Thursday morning along Illinois Route 40 in Whiteside County, marking the agency's 13th Move Over Law related crash of
By Tessa Morgan · 2026-10-23T13:23:32.816Z
Rock Falls, IL — An Illinois State Police squad vehicle was struck by a box truck Thursday morning along Illinois Route 40 in Whiteside County, marking the agency's 13th Move Over Law related crash of 2026 and prompting another warning to drivers statewide.
According to the Illinois State Police, the collision occurred around 10:08 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, on northbound IL 40 just south of U.S. Route 30 in Rock Falls.
A trooper assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau was conducting truck inspections using portable scales when the incident occurred.
The marked police vehicle was parked on the right shoulder with its emergency lights activated.
As the trooper opened the driver's door to exit the vehicle, a white 2016 Ford box truck allegedly failed to move over or yield to the emergency lights and struck the squad car's open door.
Neither the trooper nor the truck driver was injured, according to state police.
Authorities identified the truck driver as 24 year old Benjamin Vogel of Camanche, Iowa.
Vogel was issued a citation for improper passing of a stationary emergency vehicle causing property damage.
The collision adds to an ongoing safety concern for Illinois State Police.
Officials reported 13 Move Over Law related crashes involving the agency so far in 2026, resulting in injuries to two troopers.
In 2025, the agency recorded 15 such crashes and seven injured troopers. During 2024, there were 27 crashes, 12 injuries and one death.
Illinois' Move Over Law, commonly called Scott's Law, requires motorists approaching stationary emergency vehicles or other vehicles displaying emergency or hazard lights to slow down and change lanes when safe.
First time violations can carry fines ranging from $250 to $10,000. Violations resulting in injuries to another person can lead to driver's license revocation.