A 69-year-old man from Wilmington, John Fleet, has been arrested for a Class Four Felony for violating Scott’s Law following the tragic death of Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns. The incident occurred on Monday night at around 9:42 PM on I-55 near Joliet, where Trooper Carns was attempting to remove debris from the roadway. He sustained serious injuries and died about an hour later at St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet.
Fleet was unharmed and remained at the scene but was released since the offense and other traffic violations are not detainable. Trooper Carns, originally from Pinckneyville was 35 years old, had served with the Illinois State Police for 11 years and is survived by his wife Meghan, their children Gray and Ally, as well as his parents and siblings. A sister, Erica Raciack is also a member of the Illinois State Police.
State Police Director Brendan Kelly expressed deep sorrow over Trooper Carns’ death, emphasizing the risks officers face while working to ensure roadway safety. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, which mandates drivers to move over for emergency vehicles. In 2024 alone, there have been 26 crashes related to this law, resulting in twelve injuries and one fatality among state troopers.
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