A 33-year-old South Carolina man has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence in the death of a Pontiac police officer.

Jason C. Collins, of West Columbia, is being held at the Livingston County jail on initial charges of aggravated DUI related to the Wednesday night death of Officer Casey Kohlmeier.

The 29-year-old Kohlmeier died when his squad car was struck in the Interstate 55 cross-over median just north of Illinois 23 in Livingston County. The officer's K-9 partner Draco, also died in the crash.

The Livingston County State's Attorney's Office filed the charges today.

Collins was taken into custody by the Illinois State Police Zone 5 investigators when he was released from an area hospital, according to a statement from the Illinois State Police.

The charge alleges Collins was driving a pick-up truck north on I-55 near Pontiac when he left the roadway and struck Kohlmeier's department SUV.

94.1 WGFA