Wilmington man faces felony charge over Scott’s Law crash that killed trooper

A Wilmington man was charged with a felony offense Wednesday alleging that he failed to “proceed with due caution” on Interstate 55 when he drove his vehicle into an Illinois State Police trooper who later died from his injuries.

John Fleet, 69, made his first court appearance Wednesday with Joliet attorney Dan Walsh. Fleet entered a plea of not guilty to a felony Scott’s Law charge that was filed against him on the same day.

Scott’s Law requires all drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights activated.

Dozens of Illinois State Police troopers packed the courtroom presided by Will County Judge Derek Ewanic in support of Trooper Clay Carns and his family.

Carns died after he was struck by Fleet’s vehicle Dec. 23 on I-55 near Channahon, according to Illinois State Police.

Fleet is expected to return to a fourth-floor courtroom at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet for a preliminary hearing March 3.

At the time of the incident, Carns was outside his squad vehicle and removing debris from a lane before he was struck by the vehicle, police said. The road conditions were dry, and visibility was “clear,” according to ticket citations issued for Fleet.

The felony charge against Fleet accuses him of violating a section of the Illinois Vehicle Code regarding the “operation of vehicles and streetcars on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.”

The charge is a Class 4 felony with a sentencing range of probation up to three years in prison.

Fleet also is charged with the petty offense of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

On Jan. 5, 2024, Fleet was issued a ticket for speeding 75 mph in a 55-mph zone in Will County. He pleaded guilty to the offense, and he was sentenced to six months of court supervision.

But Fleet was informed in a letter from Will County Circuit Clerk Andrea Chasteen’s office that his application for court supervision was denied.

The letter told Fleet that the Will County Bar Association “has informed this court” that Fleet either “failed to successfully complete the required” four-hour driver program or he did not “qualify due to prior course attendance.”