I-55 near Highway 30 crash: Illinois State Police soldier injured in crash near Joliet

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) – An Illinois State Police vehicle was struck in a crash on I-55 near Joliet, closing northbound lanes for several hours Monday afternoon.

Illinois State Police said one of their soldiers pulled up behind a traffic accident in the left lane and turned on emergency lights to help direct traffic to the right. A black Cadillac crashed into the soldier’s team car while he was there at around 11:46 a.m.

RAW VIDEO: Chopper7 on I-55 crash involving state soldier

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

Traffic was diverted from the freeway onto U.S. Route 30, according to a statement from Illinois State Police. Northbound lanes reopened at 3:45 p.m.

SEE ALSO | Chicago weather: another winter storm could fall on a foot of snow

A snowstorm settled in the Chicago area early Monday and is expected to drop a foot or more of snow on Tuesday.

Illinois State Police said it was the sixth Scott’s Law-related accident involving state police this year, and the second in two days.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.