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Wilmington, IL – A Wilmington man faces charges after a fatal crash on I-55 that killed Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with Scott’s Law compliance.
According to Illinois State Police reports, Trooper Carns, 35, responded to debris in a lane near Blodgett Road Monday night. He activated his emergency lights and pulled to the shoulder before exiting his vehicle to remove the debris. Around 9:42 p.m., a Chevrolet Silverado struck Carns while he was on the roadway.
Illinois State Police identified the driver as 69-year-old John Fleet. Authorities arrested Fleet on Tuesday, charging him with violating Scott’s Law, a Class 4 felony.
Carns, an 11-year ISP veteran assigned to Troop 3, was transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet. Despite efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at 10:45 p.m. He is survived by his wife, Meghan, two children, and his family.
According to ISP, Fleet reportedly remained at the scene and was not injured. In addition to Scott’s Law charges, Fleet received multiple vehicle code citations. These violations are non-detainable, and Fleet was released pending court proceedings.
This marks the 26th Scott’s Law-related crash this year, with one death and 12 troopers injured. ISP urges drivers to follow the Move Over Law, requiring motorists to slow down and change lanes for stopped emergency vehicles.
Illinois State Police continue to investigate. Drivers are reminded that Scott’s Law violations carry significant penalties, including license suspension and fines up to $10,000.
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