Three more Illinois State Police squad cars struck while helping motorists in central Illinois

Posted on February 4, 2022
In total, six Illinois State Police squad cars have been hit over the past few days. (Photo courtesy: Illinois State Police)

By Blake Haas

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police is investigating three more traffic crashes involving ISP squad cars.

Police say the new crashes are in addition to three separate crashes over the past few days.

In the first incident, an ISP District 10 Trooper was handling a crash on the right shoulder of Interstate 74 eastbound at milepost 188 near Urbana around 2:00 a.m.

Authorities say a truck tractor semi-trailer driven by Leonard Smith, 30, of Trenton, NJ., sideswiped the ISP Squad car. Smith was cited for driving too fast for the wintery conditions.

Neither Smith nor the Trooper was injured in the crash.

In the second incident, an ISP District 5 Trooper was in the right lane of Interstate 80 westbound at milepost 139 near New Lenox.

Authorities say a red Mazda traveling westbound failed to yield to the squad car, slid on the roadway, and struck the vehicle’s rear end.

Neither the driver of the Mazda nor the Trooper was injured in the crash.

The driver of the Mazda was cited for driving too fast for conditions, improper lane usage, and a violation of Scott’s Law.

In the third incident, an ISP District 10 Trooper was traveling westbound on Interstate 74 at milepost 203 near Muncie.

Authorities say a blue Volkswagen Passat traveling westbound struck the rear end of the ISP squad car.

Police say neither the driver of the Volkswagen nor the Trooper was injured in the crash.

The crash is still pending further investigation.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected]

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