Driver Gets Prison For Scott’s Law Crash That Left Trooper Seriously Injured

JOLIET— Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced at Tuesday's news conference that Angel Casillas, 23, of Joliet, was sentenced to 15 months in prison by Will County Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak for causing a 2021 crash resulting from a Scott’s Law violation that left Illinois State Police Trooper Brian Frank gravely injured.

On Aug. 3, Casillas pleaded guilty to the felony, and victim witness testimony was heard that day in the courtroom.

“The lives of Trooper Frank, his devoted wife Lauren, and their family were shattered in that moment when Angel Casillas continued to drive in the left lane at up to 87 mph and after failing to safely change lanes crashed into Trooper Frank’s patrol car," Glasgow said during the press conference. "Scott’s Law exists for a reason – to prevent exactly the type of tragedy that occurred here.

"A prison sentence will not heal the egregious injuries that have left Trooper Frank totally disabled, confined to 24-hour-a day nursing care without the ability to even speak or feed himself. However, it does serve a deterrent effect and send the necessary message that the lives of our dedicated law enforcement community are deserving of protection."

Glasgow said the February 2021 crash shows how "a car can be a deadly weapon."

"I will be proposing to our lawmakers a ‘Trooper Frank Amendment’ to further strengthen the criminal penalties for anyone convicted of violating Scott’s Law so that this responsibility is taken seriously by every driver on our roads," Glasgow told reporters. "Moreover, our State needs to make sure the Scott’s Law fund receives sufficient appropriations so that dedicated public servants, like Trooper Frank, do not suffer the significant out-of-pocket costs that the Frank family has been forced to incur as a result of his debilitating injuries in the line of duty.”

On February 15, 2021, Trooper Frank was working on a single-vehicle crash on I-55 just north of Route 30. As the scene was being cleared, Trooper Frank positioned his fully-marked patrol vehicle with emergency lights activated just south of the crash to assist in diverting traffic from the left lane and help protect the towing company and emergency personnel on the scene. He also deployed three emergency flares behind his patrol vehicle to help divert and control traffic out of the left lane, prosecutors pointed out.

About 30 minutes later, a black 2010 Cadillac driven by Angel Casillas was northbound in the left lane. The front of the Cadillac collided with the rear of Frank's patrol car as he sat inside.

Although the posted speed limit on that area of the highway is 65 mph, Casillas was traveling at a speed of between 82 and 89 mph, prosecutors noted.

Trooper Frank was airlifted from the scene to Good Samaritan Hospital with serious injuries. After multiple surgeries and following more than two years in a rehabilitation hospital and several setbacks, Frank was finally released in late May to a newly constructed home built to be accessible for his needs.

“Two and a half years ago, I imagined this day much differently. I fully expected him to wake up after his natural coma, go to rehab, and return to the home we established together in a matter of weeks," his wife, Lauren said at the time. "I never could have imagined that he would remain minimally conscious after 26 months living in a rehab hospital."

Related: Trooper Who Suffered Brain Injury In Joliet Crash Finally Going Home

Additionally, Trooper Frank’s in-car squad video camera showed that his car had been stationary at the location for approximately 24 minutes before being struck by Casillas’ vehicle. During that time, more than 480 vehicles traveling northbound in the center and right lanes of northbound I-55 safely navigated around Trooper Frank’s fully marked ISP vehicle with emergency lights activated and emergency flares deployed.

Casillas will receive one day of credit for time served.

Glasgow commended Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Vukmir and Michael Fitzgerald, Victim Witness Advocate Danette Pasdertz, IT Specialists Albert Bailey and Robert Valiska, Administrative Assistant Kendall Ziech, and members of the Illinois State Police for their dedication and commitment on the case.

Scott's Law is named in honor of Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Scott Gillen. Gillen, a father of five, was killed on Dec. 23, 2000, when he was struck by a drunken driver who was speeding through a crash scene. Scott's Law requires motorists approaching any stopped vehicle with lights flashing to slow down and move over, changing lanes if possible, to give them distance.