DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — As 2024 comes to a close, the number of emergency responders being injured by reckless drivers on the state's highways continues to grow.
On Monday night, Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns was killed in Will County when he was hit while removing crash debris from Interstate 55, even though his emergency lights were on.
Scott's Law, also known as the Move Over Law, says drivers must change lanes if possible, for any car with emergency lights on. Drivers must also slow down and proceed with caution.
A local tow truck driver shared his story of a driver ignoring Scott's Law. Chris Moore was seriously injured in 2017 while operating his truck on Interstate 72.
"I had my back to the road and the car come along and clipped me in the hip, spun me around and ran over my legs," said Moore.
Moore was hit so hard it bent a nickel in his pocket. The driver never stopped to offer assistance and Moore had to crawl under his flat bed tow truck to avoid being hit by other vehicles. The death of Trooper Carns hits close to home for Moore.
"It emotionally gets to me," said Moore. "Because it brings back the memories of the night I was being hit. I know what they're going through and I survived it."
According to ISP, there have been 26 Scott's Law crashes involving troopers in 2024. Despite messaging to the public, many drivers still ignore the law.
 "I actually — on the way here — had a fire truck on the side of the road and only one out of four cars moved over," said Moore.
Scott's law is being beefed up, effective January 1st.
Drivers will be required to both move over and reduce their speed when approaching stationary vehicles in an emergency or construction zone.
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