An Illinois state trooper was killed when a semi-trailer truck slammed into her during a highway traffic stop.

Brooke Jones-Story, 34, died on Thursday while inspecting a semi-truck in Freeport on U.S. Highway 20 which was near Illinois Route 75, police said.

She was outside of her squad car when another semi-truck struck her squad car and the vehicle she was inspecting, police said.

Brooke Jones-Story, 34, (pictured), died on Thursday while inspecting a semi-truck in Freeport on U.S. Highway 20 which was near Illinois Route 75, police said

The impact of the crash caused both trucks to burst into flames and covered the area nearby with large plumes of smoke.

Brendan Kelly, acting director of Illinois State Police, said Brooke was a 12-year veteran of the force and the wife of a retired Illinois State Police officer.

ABC7 reported him as saying: 'Today is a dark day for the Illinois State Police family,' said Brendan Kelly, acting director of the Illinois State Police.

'These troopers are just doing their jobs and trying to protect everyone. How many times does this have to happen? How many more have to be hurt or killed.

At least 15 troopers have been involved in similar roadside crashes throughout the state this year, according to Kelly.

Another state trooper was hit and killed outside his squad car in January.

Jones-Story was outside of her squad car when another semi-truck struck her squad car and the vehicle she was inspecting

The impact of the crash caused both trucks to burst into flames and covered the area nearby with thick clouds of smoke

Kelly added: 'How many times does this have to happen? How many more have to be hurt or killed? When's enough, enough?'

'The men and women of this department, especially the troopers and colleagues of trooper Jones-Story, are sad, hurting and they're angry,' Kelly added.

Jones-Story was married to retired state police Master Sgt. Robert Story, agency officials said.

She is also survived by her parents, a sister, two stepchildren and a step-grandchild. She loved dogs and kept farm animals.

Brooke Jones-Story was married to retired state police Master Sgt. Robert Story, agency officials said. They are pictured on their wedding day, (left)

The latest incident comes just days after Governor JB Pritzker stepped up efforts to enforce Scott's Law in response to the number of accidents injuring state troopers.

It requires drivers to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles.

The law was introduced in 2002 and was named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen.

Gillen was a Chicago firefighter, who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver while attending a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway.

Brendan Kelly, acting director of Illinois State Police, claimed there had been a rising number of accidents injuring state troopers and called for motorists to be conscious of their speed

State troopers honored Jones-Story with one last salute at the crash scene, (pictured), which is about two hours from Chicago

The driver of the vehicle that struck Jones-Story has been cited with violation of Scott's Law and improper lane use, police said.

Governor J.B. Pritzker, who appeared at the Chicago news conference with Kelly to promote awareness of Scott’s Law, extended his condolences to Jones-Story’s family.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker extended his condolences to Brooke Jones-Story’s family

He also asked motorists to obey road safety laws and be mindful of their speed.

'Our state troopers do incredible work keeping the public safe, and it is devastating to the entire state that another has been killed on the side of a highway,' Pritzker wrote on Twitter.

State troopers honored Jones-Story with one last salute at the crash scene, which is about two hours from Chicago.