State trooper back on duty after near-fatal crash

An Illinois state trooper returning to work 20 months after nearly being killed by a drunken driving suspect is doing so with a message.

What happened on Sept. 6, 2014, "was completely avoidable," Trooper Michael Cokins said Friday during a ceremony at state police headquarters in Downers Grove to officially mark his return to patrol duties.

"Enabling a repeat DUI offender to continue driving after multiple DUI convictions must stop. The potential outcomes of this accident are painfully obvious," Cokins said. "My hope is something positive can come from what happened to me. I ask that our community leaders work with our legislators to enact tougher penalties for repeat DUI offenders so this doesn't happen to anyone else."

Cokins was struck by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop at 2:45 p.m. on northbound I-294 at North Avenue near Elmhurst. He was standing on the right shoulder of the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Leslie W. Thurow, 61, of Mt. Prospect, who two days earlier was put on probation for a previous DUI charge in Cook County.

The impact of the crash knocked Cokins over the hood of the vehicle he had pulled over. He suffered 15 broken bones in his legs and ribs and underwent eight surgeries and 17 months of therapy.

"It's a feeling you can't describe; getting hit by a car like that," Cokins said.

After striking Cokins, Thurow continued north and struck a car containing a family of seven, causing it to roll over, authorities said.

Thurow was charged with aggravated leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, aggravated DUI and aggravated DUI involving personal injury. Her case is still pending in Maywood. Her next court date is June 1.

Cokins returned to light duty in December 2015 and on May 1 he was cleared to return to full duty patrolling the north Tri-State.

"For the last 20 months I've been waiting for an opportunity to say thank you to all of the good Samaritans who stopped on 294 after I was struck and helped me as I was fighting for my life," he said

Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz said he couldn't have been happier to hand over a set of keys to a squad car for Cokins.

"Trooper Cokins was struck by an intoxicated motorist. The impact resulted in substantial injuries to Michael and we are fortunate he was not killed," Schmitz said. "As it was, Michael endured 17 long months of grueling therapy and we are extremely happy that he has recovered and is here with us today."

Schmitz also spoke briefly about the Move Over Law, often referred to as "Scott's Law," that requires motorists to yield to stationary emergency vehicles.

"It is the law in Illinois that when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, other drivers shall yield the right-of-way by making a lane change and reducing speed and proceeding with due caution if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe," he said.

Cokins joined the state police in November 2013 and has been assigned to District 15, Illinois State Toll Highway, since graduating from the state police academy.