An Illinois State Trooper, identified as Clay M. Carns, age 35, tragically lost his life Monday night while performing his duties on Interstate 55 near Channahon. The Sun-Times reports that Trooper Carns was in the process of removing debris from a southbound lane of the interstate around 9:40 p.m. when he was struck by a passing vehicle. He was transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The driver of the vehicle, John Fleet, 69, has been charged with a Scott's Law violation, also known as the "Move Over" Law, which requires motorists to change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary emergency vehicles. According to the Sun-Times, Fleet was also issued multiple Illinois Vehicle Code citations but was released since the offenses were not detainable at the time.
Carns, an 11-year veteran of the Illinois State Police, leaves behind a wife, two children, siblings, and his parents. "This is a sad day for the Illinois State Police as we mourn the death of Trooper Clay M. Carns, who was killed while serving the people of Illinois and working to keep our roadways safe," Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said in a statement obtained by the Sun-Times.
The incident has brought renewed attention to Scott's Law, named after Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen, who was killed on duty nearly 24 years ago. ABC7 Chicago mentions that amendments to the law will soon take effect, mandating drivers to both slow down and change lanes where possible when approaching stationary emergency or construction vehicles. The revised law takes effect on January 1, following the tragic events of Monday's crash, as reported by ABC7 Chicago.
State police statistics revealed that in 2024, there have been 26 Scott's Law-related crashes involving state troopers, including one fatality.
