Trooper and K-9 partner hurt in I-74 crash near Farmer City construction zone

Posted on June 28, 2017

An Illinois State Police trooper and his K-9 partner were hurt in a crash on I-74 near Farmer City. (Photo courtesy Arvell Dorsey Jr./Flickr)

By Howard Packowitz

FARMER CITY – A State Police trooper and his dog were hurt when their squad car collided with a semi on westbound I-74 near Farmer City.

State Police said a preliminary investigation indicated both vehicles were in traffic that had slowed or had come to a stop ahead of a construction zone when the crash happened at the 155 milepost about 3:30 Wednesday afternoon.

A helicopter airlifted the trooper to an area hospital. His K-9 partner, Biko, was taken to the emergency veterinary clinic at the University of Illinois. Their conditions are not known.

Police said the semi driver, who’s 47 from Normal, and a passenger from Bloomington, 38, refused medical treatment.

The trooper and the dog are from District 6 State Police, based in Pontiac. District 10 State Police in Pesotum is investigating the wreck.

Westbound I-74 was shutdown for about four hours. A listener told us the accident backed up traffic for a time in the eastbound lanes.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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