Christian County Sheriff's Office squad struck by driver while stopped on IL Route 48

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) - A Christian County Sheriff's Office squad car was struck by a driver while stopped on Illinois Route 48 near Willeys Sunday.

Two deputies in separate squad cars were pulled off the side of the highway, with their emergency lights activated when another vehicle traveling northbound on IL Route 48 came up and struck one of the squad cars.

Scott’s Law, also known as the “Move Over Law," requires drivers to move over and reduce speed when passing an emergency vehicle. Scott’s Law gets its name from Chicago Fire Lieutenant Scott Gillen who was killed while assisting at a crash scene on a Chicago expressway. Lieutenant Gillen was struck by a vehicle that was driving too fast and too close to the crash scene.

Scott’s Law came into effect in 2002 and requires drivers passing an authorized emergency vehicle to slow down, change lanes if possible, and proceed with caution.

An authorized emergency vehicle includes any vehicle on the side of the road with flashing red, blue, or yellow lights that is engaged in official duties.

In 2017, Scott’s law was expanded to include all vehicles that display flashing emergency lights. This includes civilian vehicles on the side of the road that have their hazard lights engaged.

Violating Scott’s Law is considered a business offense, punishable by a fine of not less than $250 or more than $10,000, for a first violation, 90-day license suspension if the violation results in property damage, 180-day to 2-year license suspension if the violation results in the injury of another person, and

2-year license suspension if the violation results in the death of another person.