State police squad car struck by driver

Illinois State Police, ISP, officials report they investigated a traffic crash that occurred on Illinois Route 34 1 mile west of Harco Road in Saline County involving a state police trooper. The trooper was on scene of a previous, fatal traffic crash when the trooper’s car was struck by a driver who failed to move over.

On Aug. 8, at approximately 5:08 a.m., two ISP troopers were parked on Illinois 34 west of Harco Road with emergency lights activated blocking westbound traffic to secure a crash scene. An individual driving a Ford Escape westbound struck the rear of one of the squad cars. Both troopers were outside of their squad cars at the time of the crash. 

The driver of the Ford Escape, 66-year-old Sandra S. Kahl of Thompsonville, and both troopers were not injured. Kahl was cited for Move Over Law violations and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

As of Aug. 8, the Illinois State Police had suffered eight Move Over Law-related crashes. In 2024, the state police suffered 27 Move Over Law-related crashes, with 12 troopers injured and one death. In 2023, the state police had 21 Move Over Law-related crashes, with seven troopers injured. 

The Illinois State Police remind the public the Move Over Law, also known as “Scott’s Law” in Illinois, requires all drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights activated.

A person who violates the Move Over Law faces a fine of no less than $250 and no more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years.