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Chicago man arrested for drunk driving after hitting police cruiser on I-55: ISP

CHICAGOA Chicago man was arrested this week for driving under the influence and striking an Illinois State Police vehicle on I-55, authorities said.

The incident occurred at 11:39 p.m. Tuesday on northbound I-55 at Joliet Road.

According to Illinois State Police, a trooper's cruiser was parked with emergency lights activated, blocking the left lane and providing traffic control after it was struck by a northbound Jeep.

The Jeep failed to yield and crashed into the rear of the police vehicle. The officer was not in the patrol car at the time of the collision and did not report any injuries.

The driver of the Jeep, 53-year-old Charles Rucinski of Chicago, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was also issued citations for the move-over law – failure to yield to a stationary emergency vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

State Police have reported 20 accidents related to the Move Over Law so far this year, in which nine police officers were injured.

Anyone violating the move-over law faces a fine of at least $250 and up to $10,000 for a first offense.