Watch Funeral Procession for Trooper Ellis

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Area residents lined streets throughout Lake County Friday as dozens of police departments and fire departments took part in a funeral procession for Illinois State Police Trooper Gerald Ellis. The 36-year-old Antioch man, who leaves behind a wife and two children, died from injuries sustained during a wrong-way crash Saturday morning on I-94 just east of the IL-176 exit in Green Oaks.

The wrong-way driver, Dan Davies, 44, of Calumet City, reportedly had one of the worst driving records in the state of Illinois, and received more than 70 tickets and "suspensions." He also died in the crash.

Following the funeral for Ellis, a touching ceremony, which included bagpipers and a gun salute, took place outside the College of Lake County's James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 West Washington Street. Ellis’ family and dozens of law enforcement officials watched as his casket was carried out.

The procession followed, departing the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts early Friday afternoon.

The public was encouraged to stand along the route to watch and pay their respects for Trooper Ellis. The last vehicle left CLC at about 1:30 p.m.

The route is as follows:

• Exit college and make a right on Lancer Road
• Make a left (east) on Brae Loch Road
• Right (south) on U.S. 45
• Left (east) on SR-120 (Belvidere Road)
• Exit Right on State Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue)
• Left on State Route 21
• Left onto I-94 West
• Exit I-94 on Russell Road
• Left on Old Skokie Road
• Stay Left (south) onto US 41
• Right (west) on IL Route 173
• Left (south) on Deep Lake Road\
• Right (west) on U.S. Route 132
• The procession will end AT U.S. Route 132 and SR 83

Several roadways across Lake County were closed during the funeral procession. Residents should expect delays along Interstate 94 Friday afternoon. In Grayslake, residents can expect the following road closures and detours:

• Southbound Route 45 will be generally closed from Washington Street to Route 120
• Most Northbound traffic will be diverted from Route 45 East/West on Casey Road to Route 83 or Route 21
• Most Southbound Route 45 traffic will be diverted at Washington St. to the east or west
• Gages Lake Road and Brae Loch Road will be effectively closed to normal traffic to Route 45

Patch video coverage of the ceremony honoring Ellis prior to his procession:

Rebecca Bream contributed to this report.

MORE ON PATCH

• Wrong-Way Driver Who Killed Trooper Had No License, 70 Tickets
• Wrong-Way Driver Killed In Crash With ISP Trooper Identified
• Illinois State Trooper Killed By Wrong-Way Driver On I-94: Police
• 'She Was Doing Her Job': ISP Trooper Hit, Killed On Route 20
• Where To Send Donations For Family Of ISP Trooper Ellis