A fundraiser has been launched for the family of the Illinois State Police trooper fatally struck by a car while on the job on Monday. Clay M. Carns, 35, was described by loved ones as a “total team player” who considered being a father his top priority.

A 35-year old Illinois State Police trooper has died after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 55, the latest of more than two dozen roadside crashes involving state police this year, authorities announced Tuesday.

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.

"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.

Trooper Clay Carns served 11 years with ISP and was a husband and a father to two young kids. Jermont Terry reports.

The driver of the other vehicle faces a Class 4 felony charge on a Scott's Law violation. Here's what authorities said happened.

Police and a community in Illinois are mourning the loss of a state trooper and father of two who died the day before Christmas Eve.

Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger was tragically killed in an avalanche on Monday, according to the Swiss-Ski federation. Hediger, 26, got caught in an avalanche at the mountain resort of Arosa in eastern Switzerland,

Trooper Clay Carns was killed late Monday night on I-55 just north of Blodgett Road near Channahon. Noel Brennan reports.