FAYETTE COUNTY, IL — An Illinois State Trooper is recovering Sunday after being injured while on duty.

According to a press release, at approximately 6:03 a.m. Sunday, Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a traffic crash involving an ISP District 12 Trooper on Interstate 70 eastbound near milepost 76 in Fayette County. Authorities say an ISP Trooper was inside a fully marked squad car with the emergency lights activated, assisting a stopped motorist on the right shoulder. That’s when a semi traveling east on Interstate 70 failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and veered off the roadway and onto the right shoulder. The front end of the semi struck the rear driver’s side of the squad car.

The ISP Trooper sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was released. The driver and passenger of the semi were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Pedro Espinoza, a 58-year-old male of Sunland, CA, was charged with a violation of Scott’s Law, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and Improper Lane Usage. A person who violates Scott’s Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years.

So far this year, there have been 19 ISP squad cars struck in relation to Scott’s Law and 12 Troopers have sustained injuries from Scott’s Law-related crashes. Illinois State Police would like to remind the public of the requirements of Scott’s Law, otherwise known as the “Move Over” law.

When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over.