Trooper with broken leg and concussion climbed from wrecked squad car to help 3x drunk driver, prosecutors say – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Chicago – An Illinois State Police trooper suffered a concussion and two broken bones in his right leg during a March 30 crash on the city’s West Side, yet he still radioed for assistance and limped from his disabled squad car to check on the driver who struck him. The collision occurred around 4:14 a.m. at Jackson Boulevard and Homan Avenue. The trooper had been helping Chicago police search for a vehicle when he activated emergency lights and entered the intersection. He swerved left in an attempt to avoid an oncoming car but struck its right front passenger side instead. Both vehicles were disabled on impact.
The Trooper’s Actions After Impact
The trooper’s head struck the dashboard hard enough to dislodge the dashcam. Despite the injuries, he immediately called for backup and exited the vehicle. Video from the scene shows him bleeding from the head and limping toward the other car to render aid. Additional troopers arrived shortly afterward. They located the driver still seated behind the wheel with airbags deployed. An open bottle of Modelo beer sat in the driver’s side door, and a firearm rested on the floorboard. Two passengers were also in the vehicle.
Driver’s Condition and Prior Record
Officers observed the driver with slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. She fell to the ground when removed from the car. A hospital blood draw later showed a blood-alcohol concentration of.185, more than twice the legal limit. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Nadalie Ortner of Chicago, admitted she had been drinking the previous night at her child’s birthday party. Court records indicate she already had two prior DUI convictions. Her license was suspended because of an earlier case, and she was under court supervision for a second DUI at the time of the crash.
Charges and Court Decision
Ortner faces nine counts of DUI, including multiple counts that allege bodily harm. A judge ordered her detained pending further proceedings. The trooper, Ortner, and her two passengers were all transported to hospitals for treatment. The incident highlights the risks troopers face while performing routine duties and the repeated consequences of impaired driving.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.