ILLINOIS - Trooper Alex Womack was responding to a crash scene on Interstate 55 in St. Clair County when he was struck by a semi-truck. His squad car was also hit.  

Investigators determined the driver of the semi violated Scott’s Law, the state’s Move Over Law. On Wednesday, Womack joined other officials in announcing a digital alert system the Illinois State Police now use to alert drivers when they approach a trooper’s vehicle on the side of the road.

HAAS Alert can send notifications to the entertainment systems of certain car brands.

“One life, one injury, one crash is too many,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said. "Every time, Move Over crashes are preventable if people simply slow down and move over.”

CEO of HAAS Alert Corey Hohs added, “The alert is delivered about as close to 20 seconds before they are going to come in contact with that incident scene."

The alerts notify users when an emergency vehicle using the system is nearby.

“We’re trying to find any way to notify the commuting population, 'Hey, we’re out here,'” Herculaneum Fire Department Chief Kevin Baker said. 

His department installed the system on one fire engine in August.

“It helps our safety while we’re out there operating on the scene,” he added.

At the same time, the chief believes the system will also keep the public safer by giving them enough time to slow down. He said his department regularly navigates a stretch of Interstate 55 notorious for crashes.

“Move over, slow down, give us a little room to work,” Baker said.