ISP trooper hurt in crash while helping stranded driver on I-57

A semi truck struck an Illinois State Police squad car during Sunday’s blizzard, injuring a trooper who was helping a motorist stranded near south suburban Peotone.

Trooper Ricardo Zarate had pulled over to help the motorist on I-57 northbound near Wilmington-Peotone Road when the crash happened about 6 p.m., ISP said in a statement.

Zarate was inside his squad car with his lights activated when the semi hit his vehicle, police said.

The trooper was taken to Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, officials said. His condition has stabilized and he is expected to recover.

“We are grateful he survived this preventable and unfortunate crash,” First Deputy Director Brian Ley said in the statement. “Trooper Zarate is a dedicated officer who risked his life for the safety of others during Sunday’s winter storm.”

State police continue to investigate, and could not immediately say Monday whether any citations were issued.

Authorities remind motorists to move over or slow down when they encounter emergency vehicles.