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Yet another state trooper killed by motorist
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* This is a different circumstance than the Scott’s Law violations, but Trooper Ellis was the 16th Illinois State Police trooper hit by a motorist this year and the third to be killed. From the ISP…
Illinois State Police (ISP) Acting Director Brendan F. Kelly regretfully announces the line-of-duty death of ISP District 15 (Downers Grove) Trooper Gerald Ellis.
This morning, March 30th, 2019, at approximately 3:25 a.m., Trooper Gerald Ellis, #6038, was on-duty in his squad car traveling home on I-94 westbound near milepost 16.75 in Green Oaks, when a wrong-way driver, who was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes, struck Trooper Ellis head on. Trooper Ellis was transported to a local area hospital with life threatening injuries. At approximately 4:04 a.m. Trooper Ellis succumbed to his injuries.
“While the men and women of the Illinois State Police are still grieving our recent loss, it is with profound heartache and unfathomable sadness that we inform you of the death of another fallen trooper, Trooper Gerald Ellis. Trooper Ellis laid down his life while protecting the citizens of this state. We are asking the public to respectfully give consideration to the family of Trooper Ellis and the ISP while we continue to process and work through this tragedy,” stated Acting Director Brendan Kelly.
Trooper Ellis was 36 years old and an 11-year veteran of the Illinois State Police District 15 in Downers Grove.
Additional information will be released once it becomes available.
Two state troopers have been killed in just a few days.
* Monday is Illinois State Trooper Day…
(5 ILCS 490/147)
Sec. 147. Illinois State Trooper Day. April 1st of each year is designated as Illinois State Trooper Day, a day to honor the dedicated men and women of the Illinois State Police. Illinois State Trooper Day shall be observed throughout the State by the citizens of Illinois with civic remembrances of the sacrifices made on their behalf by Illinois’ finest, the Illinois State Troopers, especially the ultimate sacrifice given by those State Police Officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
…Adding… Secretary of State Jesse White…
I am issuing a call to action to motorists throughout Illinois: Stop driving while distracted. Stop texting while driving. Stop driving while impaired.
Please protect those who protect us by moving over when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle.
I grieve for those officers who lost their lives while protecting us, and I grieve for their family members.
posted by Rich Miller
Saturday, Mar 30, 19 @ 10:31 am
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Saturday afternoon I was driving south on I-90 near Marengo. There was a Minuteman truck on the left shoulder assisting two disabled vehicles about a quarter of a mile after an IDOT sign thanking Troopers Jones-Story and Ellis for their service. No driver (and by that I mean no driver) in the far left lane moved over even though the emergency lights on the Minuteman truck were clearly visible. Instead, they sped right past at speeds higher than the posted limits.
Disgusting. I hope the legislature considers suspending the drivers’ licenses of those who violate Scott’s Law, if not on the first violation then definitely on the second.
Comment by Bourbon Street Monday, Apr 1, 19 @ 9:18 am
16 is just an atrocious number. 1 is too many. It may be time to consider an operational solution such as telling people via loud speaker to pull off the expressways and interstates at an exit to ensure safety. I’d support almost anything that would stop this terrible problem that is really an epidemic scale for the type of problem it is.
So sorry and sad for these families.
Comment by A guy Monday, Apr 1, 19 @ 9:48 am
This is just insane and I cannot understand what is wrong with people. Pay attention and watch out for those doing these important jobs.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Apr 1, 19 @ 9:59 am
On a related and positive note, check out Illinois’ volunteer of the week. Great to see young people working to fix this terrible issue.
www.Serve.Illinois.gov/#VOTW
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 1, 19 @ 10:27 am