In a heartbreaking incident just days before Christmas, Illinois State Police Trooper Clay Carns, 35, was struck and killed by a passing vehicle on I-55 near Channahon. Carns, an 11-year veteran of the force, had pulled over to clear debris from the highway when tragedy struck.
It was around 9:45 p.m. when Trooper Carns noticed the obstruction on the southbound lanes of I-55 and activated his emergency lights. Stepping out of his squad car to remove the debris, he was tragically hit by a Chevrolet Silverado driven by 69-year-old John Fleet from Wilmington.
Carns was rushed to Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital in Joliet but was later pronounced dead. The loss is particularly painful as it comes so close to Christmas, a time when families gather and celebrate. “Any time we lose a trooper hurts, but today is Christmas Eve,” said ISP Director Brendan Kelly, reflecting the deep sorrow felt by the department and the community.
Trooper Carns leaves behind a wife and two young children, a stark reminder of the personal sacrifices made by law enforcement officers every day. This tragic event is a painful wake-up call for drivers to heed the warnings of Scott’s Law, which mandates that vehicles slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles.
Fleet, the driver involved, has been charged under Scott’s Law and could face heavy fines and a potential license suspension. This marks another in a series of incidents this year where failure to comply with the law has resulted in harm to first responders.
As a somber reminder, Monday was also Scott’s Law Day, dedicated to honoring the brave men and women who risk their lives for public safety. The law was enacted after Chicago Fire Lieutenant Scott Gillen was killed by a drunk driver in 2000 while assisting at a crash scene on the Dan Ryan Expressway. This law serves as a call for all drivers to respect the safety of those who serve on the roads.
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