CHANNAHON, IL - An Illinois State Trooper after a collision in which a motorist allegedly failed to yield to his vehicle, in spite of its display of emergency lights.
Trooper Clay M. Carns was struck and killed while responding to the scene of debris on Interstate 55, when a motorist driving a pickup truck allegedly failed to yield in spite of his vehicle's display of emergency lights, according to Chicago NBC 5.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly mourned Trooper Carns, an eleven-year veteran of the agency, in a statement released Tuesday.
“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."
Carns was a loving husband and father, who leaves behind his wife Megan and two young children. The Carns family released a statement thanking the law enforcement community for its support following Trooper Carns' death, obtained by Fox 32 Chicago.
"The Family of Trooper Clay Carns mourn the loss of their treasured husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. We could never begin to thank law enforcement nor the thousands from our community who have reached out to us to express their love and support.
The motorist in the incident, 69-year-old John Fleet of Wilmington, is facing criminal charges under Illinois' "Move Over" law, which requires motorists to slow down and provide space on roadways to emergency vehicles responding to the scenes of accidents. The law is also known as "Scott's Law," in honor of Chicago Fire Lt. Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed in a 2000 collision in which he was responding to the scene of an accident.
It's thought that Fleet is likely to face further criminal charges related to the incident and the death of Trooper Carns.
Trooper Clay M. Carns was struck and killed while responding to the scene of debris on Interstate 55, when a motorist driving a pickup truck allegedly failed to yield in spite of his vehicle's display of emergency lights, according to Chicago NBC 5.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly mourned Trooper Carns, an eleven-year veteran of the agency, in a statement released Tuesday.
“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."
Carns was a loving husband and father, who leaves behind his wife Megan and two young children. The Carns family released a statement thanking the law enforcement community for its support following Trooper Carns' death, obtained by Fox 32 Chicago.
"The Family of Trooper Clay Carns mourn the loss of their treasured husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. We could never begin to thank law enforcement nor the thousands from our community who have reached out to us to express their love and support.
To the public, Clay became a hero on December 23, 2024, when he was killed in the line of duty. To his family, he has always been a hero.
Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same. But we take comfort in knowing that he lived his life with such purpose, he loved his family and friends fiercely, and he took great pride in his work."
A GoFundMe intended to aid the family with its expenses in their hour of need has raised nearly $200,000. Trooper Carns' funeral visitation is scheduled for Jan. 2 at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park, Illinois.The motorist in the incident, 69-year-old John Fleet of Wilmington, is facing criminal charges under Illinois' "Move Over" law, which requires motorists to slow down and provide space on roadways to emergency vehicles responding to the scenes of accidents. The law is also known as "Scott's Law," in honor of Chicago Fire Lt. Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed in a 2000 collision in which he was responding to the scene of an accident.
It's thought that Fleet is likely to face further criminal charges related to the incident and the death of Trooper Carns.
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Comments
2024-12-30T20:18-0500 | Comment by: James
Ya, sure .... NO sympathy here ....... Get OUT of the road ....
2024-12-30T23:07-0500 | Comment by: Dori
John Fleet should face all appropriate charges, be prosecuted and serve the maximum prison time. Due to his disregard of the law, a young man serving the public is dead. It's just about 1st degree murder, imo.