Omaha Man Arrested After Crashing Into Illinois State Trooper’s Squad Car
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Ill. — A 59-year-old Omaha man has been arrested after allegedly crashing into an Illinois State Patrol squad car on Interstate 55 earlier this month, according to the Illinois State Police.
Crash Details
The incident occurred around 2:45 a.m. on September 2 near milepost 217 in Livingston County.
Police said a state trooper was parked behind a disabled vehicle from a previous crash with emergency lights activated when a van, driven by Samuel Gomez of Omaha, struck the rear driver’s side of the squad car.
The trooper was inside the vehicle at the time but was not injured.
Charges Filed
Gomez has been charged with:
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Operating an uninsured motor vehicle
- Violation of Illinois’ “Move Over” law
The Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights.
ISP Safety Concerns
The Illinois State Police noted that this was at least the 10th ISP squad car struck in 2025 despite repeated warnings to motorists about the dangers of ignoring Scott’s Law.
Officials continue to urge drivers to remain alert, slow down, and move over whenever they see emergency or maintenance vehicles along Illinois highways.
The crash highlights ongoing concerns about trooper safety on Illinois roads. For more updates on public safety and traffic enforcement, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.