State hits driver accused of striking highway patrol car with suit seeking $75K-plus

The state is suing the driver of a vehicle it claims hit an Illinois State Police patrol car parked on Interstate Highway 55, injuring the trooper sitting inside.

The People of the State of Illinois, ex rel. Illinois Department of Central Management Services, filed a lawsuit Oct. 8 in Cook County Circuit Court against Harry S. Sturgeon.

According to the complaint, Isidro Herrera, an ISP highway patrol officer, was parked in his patrol car on the northbound shoulder of I-55 on Oct. 14, 2012, when his car was struck by a vehicle driven by Sturgeon, who was going  southbound when he failed to take evasive action and avoid a collision.

The state claims it has paid more than $16,900 in medical bills and $58,600 in lost time to Herrera as a result of his injuries.

It is suing Sturgeon to recoup that amount, about $75,000 in damages, plus any subsequently entered workers' compensation commission award.

The state's suit was submitted by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Assistant Attorney General Heidi A. Smith.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014L010438.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it only represents one side of the story.