"Any time we lose a trooper hurts, but today is Christmas Eve here on December 24, so it kind of hurts in a particular way," ISP Dir. Brendan Kelly said.

"This is a sad day for the Illinois State Police as we mourn the death of Trooper Clay M. Carns, who was killed while serving the people of Illinois and working to keep our roadways safe,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said in a statement.

Trooper Clay M. Carns was removing debris from a southbound lane of I-55 near Blodgett Road in Will County when he was struck by a vehicle, Illinois state police said. The driver has been charged.