A trooper with the Illinois State Police was driving home when he came upon a traffic collision on an interstate highway.

Trooper Christopher Lambert was reportedly out of his car, offering assistance at the scene of a three-vehicle crash when a vehicle struck him.

According to WGN-TV, a nurse stopped and performed CPR before the 34-year-old trooper was taken via ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

"Trooper Lambert was a great trooper and was respected by those within and from outside the ISP, this is a tremendous loss which could have been prevented and should have never happened," ISP Director Leo Schmitz said in a Facebook post. "Trooper Lambert deliberately placed his vehicle in a position to protect the lives of the victims of the previous crash, and took on the danger himself. He will be remembered for his dedication to the Illinois State Police and for giving the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve the citizens of Illinois."

A veteran of the United States Army, Trooper Lambert had served with the Illinois State Police for five years. He is survived by a wife and one-year-old daughter.