McHenry Times

Another Illinois state trooper experienced a crash at night with a suspected drunk driver, once again placing scrutiny on DUI sentencing in Illinois. 

On Dec. 17, a trooper's vehicle was struck while pulled over on the side of the road on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The trooper was conducting a DUI investigation with the car's emergency lights on when  25-year-old Alontae Holliday collided with the ISP vehicle in his Nissan, according to CBS Chicago.

The vehicle was damaged, but the trooper did not suffer any serious injuries.  

State Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) called for prayers for the officer on his Facebook page. 

“This ISP Trooper, who is a part of Chicago’s Anti Violence Detail, was hit last night by an intoxicated driver," McConchie wrote. "Fortunately, the officer is okay, but it could have been much more tragic. Our law enforcement officers put themselves on the line for us every…single…day.  Let’s keep them in our prayers and keep standing up for them!”

Holliday is originally from Matteson and is currently being charged with DUI, speeding, and violating Scott’s Law, which requires drivers to slow down and move over on the road when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights on, CBS Chicago reported. 

Twenty-two Illinois State Police vehicles have been involved in crashes with other drivers so far in 2021, with 13 troopers injured in those collisions.

In Illinois, first-time DUI offenders often do not receive jail time. Community service and fines of up to $2,500 are sometimes used in lieu of imprisonment. Statistically, 75% of  the people arrested for DUI are male, 57% younger than 35. Most DUI arrests occur between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.