I-55 accident near Route 30: Illinois State Police soldier injured in accident near Joliet

JOLIET, Illinois. (WLS) – An Illinois State Police vehicle was hit in an accident on I-55 near Joliet, closing the northern lanes for several hours on Monday afternoon.

The Illinois State Police said one of its soldiers stopped behind a traffic accident on the left lane and activated the emergency lights to help direct traffic to the right. A black Cadillac crashed into the police car while he was there around 11:46 am.

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The policeman was flown from the scene to a hospital in the area with serious injuries, state police said. The Cadillac driver, a 20-year-old Joliet resident, was also taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Traffic was diverted off the expressway on US Route 30, according to a statement from the Illinois State Police. The tracks to the north reopened at 15:45

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The Illinois State Police said this is the sixth Scott Law related accident involving the state police this year, and the second in two days.

Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.