An Illinois State Police trooper has died after he was struck by a vehicle while responding to a crash on Interstate 294 on Saturday, officials confirmed.
According to police, trooper Chris Lambert was on his way home Saturday afternoon when he came upon the crash on the left shoulder of the road.
Lambert was out of his car and was responding to the near milepost 49.25 at approximately 3:44 p.m. when he was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound on the roadway.
After the crash, the 34-year-old Lambert was given CPR by an off-duty nurse, and was later taken to Glenbrook Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just before 7:30 p.m.
Lambert leaves behind a wife and a one-year-old daughter, police said. Lambert was a five-year veteran of the force, authorities said, and he had previously served in the United States Army.
“He’s a hero,” Illinois State Police Director Leo P. Schmitz said. “and now I’m going to take care of him, his family and our troopers.”
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The driver of the vehicle that struck Lambert did stop, and police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash. No charges have been filed in the case.
“All the people who worked with him, they said he was a go-getter, he was a hard worker, they loved him, he got things done — we’re going to miss him,” Schmitz said.
Lambert's neighbors were shocked at his sudden passing, and expressed their condolences to those who knew and loved him.
“I feel horrible for his family, his friends, and the entire Illinois State Police family,” one neighbor said.
The 100 Club announced Sunday that it will step up in its efforts to help Lambert’s family, as the trooper left behind a wife and a young daughter.
State police led a procession of Lambert’s body to the Cook County medical examiner’s office early Sunday.
An autopsy conducted Sunday morning found Lambert died from multiple blunt force injuries related to the crash, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
His death was ruled an accident.
