An Illinois State Police trooper escaped injury after a passing box truck struck the driver’s-side door of his patrol vehicle during a roadside commercial truck inspection in Rock Falls, Illinois.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:08 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, along northbound Illinois Route 40, just south of U.S. Route 30 in Whiteside County.
According to the Illinois State Police (ISP), the trooper was assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau and was conducting truck inspections using portable scales.
His patrol vehicle was parked on the right shoulder with its emergency lights activated when the incident occurred.
As the trooper opened the driver’s door to exit the vehicle, a passing white 2016 Ford box truck failed to move over and struck the door, damaging the police vehicle.
Fortunately, neither the trooper nor the truck driver sustained injuries.
Police identified the box truck driver as Benjamin Vogel, 24, of Camanche, Iowa. He was cited for improper passing of a stationary emergency vehicle causing property damage to another.
Illinois State Police Report 13 Move Over Law Crashes in 2026
The collision marked the Illinois State Police’s 13th Move Over Law-related crash of 2026, according to the agency’s October 22 report. Two troopers had been injured in those incidents.
The agency recorded 15 similar crashes in 2025, resulting in seven injured troopers.
In 2024, Illinois State Police reported 27 Move Over Law-related crashes, which resulted in 12 injuries and one death.
What Illinois Move Over Law Requires
Illinois’ Move Over Law, commonly known as Scott’s Law, requires motorists to slow down and move over when approaching stationary emergency vehicles displaying flashing warning lights.
Under Illinois Vehicle Code Section 11-907, drivers must change lanes away from a stationary emergency vehicle when it is safe and possible to do so. If changing lanes is unsafe, motorists must reduce their speed, proceed cautiously and maintain a safe distance.
Violating the law can result in fines ranging from $250 to $10,000 for a first offense.
Illinois law also classifies a Move Over Law violation that damages another vehicle as a Class A misdemeanor. A violation resulting in property damage can lead to a driver’s license suspension of 90 days to one year.
These are potential statutory penalties, not penalties reported as having been imposed on Vogel.
The incident highlights the risks police officers and commercial vehicle inspectors face while working along busy roads, even when emergency warning lights are activated.
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