JOLIET, Ill. (WMBD) — An Illinois State Police trooper was killed on Interstate 55 after being hit by a car, the agency said early Tuesday.
The collision took place in Will County on Interstate 55 near Channahon. Just after 9:40 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, Clay Carns, 35, was outside of his squad car on southbound I-55 just north of Blodgett Road to remove some debris from the interstate when a car struck him, said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly .
Carns was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet, where he died about an hour later, the agency said.
“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,” Kelly said. “Please keep Trooper Carns, his family, loved ones, and his ISP family in your thoughts, prayers, and hearts during this most difficult time.”
Carns was a trooper for the past 11 years. He was most recently assigned to Troop 3 . He is survived by his wife Mechan, children Gray and Ally as well as his parents, Patty and Danny Carns, Kelly said.