JOLIET, Ill. — A 69-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection to a crash that killed an Illinois State Police (ISP) trooper Monday night.

Trooper Clay Carns was removing debris from a lane on southbound Interstate 55 Monday around 9:42 p.m., outside Chicago, when he was hit by a Chevrolet Silverado, according to ISP.

His emergency lights were on and had pulled over to the right shoulder.

Carns was transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet where he later died from his injuries. He was 35 years old and served as an officer with ISP for 11 years.

Carns was assigned to Troop 3. He is survived by his wife, two children and family.

The driver of the Chevrolet has been identified as John Fleet of Wilmington, Ill. He was not injured and remained on the scene, according to ISP.

“This is a sad day for the Illinois State Police as we mourn the death of Trooper Clay M. Carns who was killed while serving the people of Illinois and working to keep our roadways safe,” ISP Director Brendan Kelly said in a statement. 

“Please keep Trooper Carns, his family, loved ones, and his ISP family in your thoughts, prayers, and hearts during this most difficult time.”

On Tuesday, the Will County State's Attorney’s Office approved a “Scott’s Law” charge, also known as the “Move Over Law,” against Fleet. ISP also issued multiple vehicle code citations.

These are not detainable offenses and Fleet was released, according to ISP.

The ISP has seen an increase in Move Over Law-related crashes over the past three years.

So far this year, there have been 26 Move Over Law-related crashes where 12 troopers have been injured and one death.

Last year, there were 21 Move Over Law-related crashes with seven troopers injured. In 2022, there were 25 crashes where 13 troopers were injured.

The Move Over Law requires all drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights activated.

Violating the law can result in a fine between $250 and $10,000, according to ISP.  If the violation ends 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. 

The investigation is ongoing by ISP.