Chicago, IL – An Illinois State Police trooper was injured after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 57 Saturday while standing near the shoulder during an active emergency response. The incident occurred around 10:22 a.m. near 108th Street, where the trooper’s marked vehicle was parked with its emergency lights flashing following a prior two-vehicle collision.
According to Illinois State Police, a black Hyundai, driven by 22-year-old Dario A. Lopez-Arevalo of Robbins, IL, veered onto the shoulder, striking the trooper and nearly hitting other parked squad cars. The trooper was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while no other injuries were reported. Lopez-Arevalo, who does not have a valid driver’s license, faces multiple charges, including a Class 4 felony for violating Scott’s Law, commonly known as the “Move Over” Law, which mandates that drivers slow down or change lanes for stationary emergency vehicles.
This is the 21st incident involving a violation of the Move Over Law impacting an Illinois trooper this year, with 10 troopers injured statewide in such crashes. ISP emphasized that failure to comply with this law can result in fines up to $10,000 and license suspension. This incident also follows a similar crash last week involving another ISP vehicle struck on I-55 near Joliet.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials urge drivers to exercise caution near emergency response scenes.
