Illinois: State trooper struck, killed while responding to crash on I-294

An Illinois state trooper was killed Saturday while responding to a three-car crash on I-294 in Northbrook, police said. Trooper Christopher Lambert was on his way home at about 4:45 p.m. Saturday when he responded to a crash on the left shoulder of I-294 NB near Willow Road, according to Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz.

Lambert was out of his car when a vehicle on the highway failed to stop — hitting Lambert and throwing him several feet, according to WGN sources. An off-duty nurse stopped to perform CPR. Lambert was rushed to Glenbrook Hospital, where he died at 7:24 p.m. Saturday, state police said.

Lambert, 34, had been on the job for five years. He was previously in the U.S. Army. He lived in Highland Park and leaves behind a wife and one-year-old daughter. Police on Sunday warned citizens not to donate to any GoFundMe-type campaigns set up for Lambert. Neither his family nor police created any campaigns, police said.

“Trooper Lambert was a great trooper and was respected by those within and from outside the ISP,” Schmitz said in a statement. “This is a tremendous loss, which could have been prevented and should have never happened. Trooper Lambert deliberately placed his vehicle in a position to protect the lives of the victims of the previous crash, and took on the danger himself. He will be remembered for his dedication to the Illinois State Police and for giving the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve the citizens of Illinois.”

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