Squad Car Struck As Cop Handles Crash Near Deerfield: IL State Police

DEERFIELD, IL — For the 19th time this year, an Illinois State Police car was involved in a Scott's Law-related crash early Tuesday morning. According to police, the crash occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 294 near Deerfield Road.

Joseph W. Allietta, 44, of Niles, was cited for Scott's Law — improper passing of a stationary emergency vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

At around 4:11 a.m., a trooper squad car was parked in the left lane of southbound I-294 with emergency lights activated. The trooper was handling a previous traffic crash when a 2014 Toyota Corolla, driven by Allietta, failed to move over while driving in the southbound lanes. His car reportedly struck the left concrete median wall before striking the left side of the ISP squad car.

The trooper was outside the squad car at the time of the crash and was uninjured. Allietta was also uninjured, but a passenger in his car was taken. to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to the ISP, there have been 19 move over law-related crashes so far this year compared to 23 in 2022. In those from last year, eight troopers sustained injuries. Police are reminding the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, otherwise known as "Scott’s 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," according to ISP.

Police said 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.