(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – An Illinois State Police trooper in northern Illinois has died after being struck by a vehicle -- the latest in a string of accidents involving officers.
Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was inspecting a commercial vehicle on U.S. Route 20 west of Illinois Route 75 around 11:30 a.m. when she was fatally struck by a semi-tractor-trailer truck, the ISP said in a news release.
Illinois State Police mourn the loss of Trooper Brooke Jones-Story #5966.She was struck by a truck tractor semi trailer while outside of her squad car on a traffic stop on US Route 20 near Freeport, IL.Rest peacefully. We will never forget you.End of Watch 3-28-19 pic.twitter.com/8WUNBmRW6S
— IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice)
March 28, 2019 Additional details about the incident weren’t available. The trooper was a 12-year veteran of the ISP’s District 16 in Pecatonica.
“Today is a dark day for the Illinois State Police family. This is the six-year anniversary of the death of another Trooper, and now another brave soul, Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, has made the ultimate sacrifice for people of this state. At this very moment, the men and women of the ISP are responding and focused on the job and mission, because that’s what Trooper Jones-Story would do,” Acting Director Brendan Kelly said.
Fifteen state troopers have been involved in accidents so far this year; two have died.
Just this week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged motorists to observe a state law that requires drivers to move into a far lane and slow down when an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road.
I cannot stress strongly enough – when you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road, change lanes or slow down. It’s the law, and it’s the only decent thing to do.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker)
March 28, 2019
