Video Shows Driver Attack Illinois State Trooper

McCLEAN COUNTY, IL — A dashcam video shows a man tackling a state trooper during a traffic stop last month in central Illinois.

The incident occurred just after 4 p.m. May 25 on northbound Interstate 55 near Chenoa in McLean County, according to police.

Randy Turner was driving 109 mph in a 70-mph zone when he was pulled over, according to 25 News Now, which published sections of an 11-minute video of the altercation.

“I wrote your speed down a little bit,” the trooper said in the video, explaining that, as a result, Turner wouldn’t have to go to jail.

Turner then lunged at the trooper, wrapping his arms around the trooper’s legs to pull him to the ground, the video showed. Stills from the video, published by 25 News Now, show Turner with his fist raised, holding the trooper down.

Eventually, a third person — a passerby licensed to carry a weapon, 25 News Now reported — arrived on scene and pointed a gun at Turner, the video showed. Turner tried to escape in a tow truck, but a fourth person can be seen in the video attempting to stop him.

The trooper eventually used a Taser on Turner and took him into custody, according to state police.

“You went for my gun, man,” the trooper said in audio of the incident published by 25 News Now. “What is wrong with you? You want to die?”

Turner told police he tried to take the gun to gain control in the struggle, and said he attacked the trooper to avoid returning to jail, despite being told he wouldn’t be imprisoned, 25 News Now reported.

Turner is charged with six counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer, disarming an officer, attempting to disarm an officer, unlawful use of weapons, possession of a stolen vehicle, criminal damage to government property and driving while on drugs, according to court records. His bond is set at $2 million and he is due to be arraigned June 24, court records said.

The trooper was released from the hospital not long after the attack, according to 25 News Now.