Crime & Safety

2 Felonies Filed In Crash Injuring IL State Police Trooper In Joliet

Illinois State Trooper Brian Frank was seriously injured after responding to a crash on I-55 near Route 30 on Feb. 15, 2021.

In February 2021, Illinois State Police Trooper Brian Frank was airlifted to a local hospital with serious brain injuries.
In February 2021, Illinois State Police Trooper Brian Frank was airlifted to a local hospital with serious brain injuries. (File image via Illinois State Police )

JOLIET, IL — Nearly 14 months after Illinois State Trooper Brian Frank was seriously injured on Interstate 55 near Route 30, the Will County State's Attorney Office of Jim Glasgow has filed two criminal charges against the driver who smashed into the back of the trooper's vehicle.

On Friday, Will County prosecutors charged 21-year-old Angel Casillas of Joliet with aggravated reckless driving as well as operation of vehicles and streetcars on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.

Will County Judge Dave Carlson signed the bench warrant authorizing the arrest of Casillas, and bail was set at $250,000. Casillas lives in the 600 block of Jasper Street.

Find out what's happening in Jolietfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Last year, the llinois State Police said the trooper had pulled over behind two wrecked vehicles and turned on the emergency lights while responding to a crash around 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 15, 2021.

While Trooper Frank was in his squad car, a black 2010 Cadillac crashed into the back of his vehicle. The 20-year-old driver of the Cadillac, Casillas, of Joliet, was also taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. The two vehicles from the earlier crash were not involved.

Find out what's happening in Jolietfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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