FACE IT: Report Slides

State Trooper Struck by Tractor Trailer While 

Conducting a Commercial Vehicle Traffic 

Stop - Illinois 

(NIOSH LEO 2022-01)

NIOSH • 1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508 • 304-285-5916
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Summary

Photo of the Trooper’s vehicle along with the 

commercial motor vehicle after the fatal incident. 

(Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Police.)

• On March 28, 2019, a 34-year-old state 

trooper assigned to patrol duties as a 

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer 

(CVEO), initiated a traffic stop of a tractor 

trailer on the right shoulder of a 4-lane 

highway. 

• After she conducted her inspection, the 

trooper was standing on the driver’s side 

running board of the truck talking to the 

driver. 

• Another tractor trailer traveling westbound 

stuck the trooper, throwing her off the 

running board and into a ditch parallel to the 

highway. 

• First responders attempted life saving 

measures but were unsuccessful. 

• The trooper was pronounced deceased at the 

scene.
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Summary

Drawing of the path of the commercial motor 

vehicle that struck the trooper.

Photo of commercial vehicles on fire at the 

scene after the impact. (Photo courtesy of the 

Illinois State Police.)
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Contributing Factors

• State trooper positioned in area exposed to moving traffic

• Commercial Motor Vehicle failure to move over and operating 

a motor vehicle while fatigued
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Recommendations

• State law enforcement agencies should consider developing and 

enforcing a standard operating procedure or policy to conduct 

commercial motor vehicle inspections in an area away from moving 

traffic whenever possible.

• State law enforcement agencies should consider developing and 

enforcing a standard operating procedure or policy to conduct 

passenger side approaches when it removes or lessens the hazards of 

moving traffic. 

• Law enforcement officers and other emergency responders should 

maintain situational awareness while working outside of their patrol 

unit and ensure they minimize their exposure to oncoming traffic.
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Recommendations

• State, county, and municipal authorities should consider the 

promotion of public awareness campaigns to inform motorists of the 

dangers of driving while fatigued or ill.

• State, county, and municipal authorities should consider promoting 

public awareness campaigns to inform motor vehicle operators of the 

risks that law enforcement officers face while operating along the 

roadside and of the need to follow “Move Over” laws.
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Recommendations

• State, county, and municipal authorities should consider wearing 

high-visibility safety apparel, such as retro-reflective vests, when 

conducting commercial motor vehicle inspections along an active 

highway to ensure greater visibility. 

• Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers should consider placing 

emergency warning devices when conducting commercial motor 

vehicle inspections along an active highway to ensure greater 

visibility. 
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State Trooper Struck by 

Tractor Trailer While 

Conducting a 

Commercial Vehicle 

Traffic Stop - Illinois 

(NIOSH LEO 2022-01)

Download the full report:

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/pdfs/L202201.pdf
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Contact Us

Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation 

Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch

Division of Safety Research, NIOSH

1000 Frederick Lane, M/S 1808

Morgantown, West Virginia 26505-2888

FACE Web Site: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/