Plainfield Fire Truck Hit At I-55 Accident Scene

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield fire officials are urging motorists to slow down and use caution passing emergency vehicles after one of the department's ladder trucks was hit earlier this week at a crash scene. Plainfield firefighter/EMTs were dispatched to the scene of a two-vehicle crash June 2 in the southbound lanes of I-55 near mile marker 260. At the scene, Plainfield ladder truck 1919 was positioned to provide lane blocking to keep everyone at the crash site safe.

The ladder truck was blocking the shoulder and two lanes of traffic with warning lights activated and traffic cones directing motorists into the open lane when a minivan drove through the traffic cones, struck the ladder truck's front tire, bounced off and continued for 620 feet past the original crash site and all the other emergency vehicles. Officials said the minivan came to rest with the traffic cones still stuck underneath it.

" On this day, ( the ladder truck) positioning prevented a motorist from driving into the crash site where first responders were rendering aid to everyone involved in the original two crashes," Plainfield Fire Protection District said in a statement. "The Plainfield Fire Protection District urges motorists to please slow down and use caution when approaching and passing emergency scenes in compliance with Scott’s Law also known as the 'Move Over' law.

Scott's Law was named after Lt. Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver while assisting at a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway.

Ladder truck 1919 sustained damage and will be out of service for several weeks while undergoing inspections and repairs, fire officials said.

Related: Kendall Co. Sheriff Explains 'Scott's Law' After Trooper's Death

Several other motorists have violated Scott's Law this year in Illinois, with tragic consequences. Three state troopers have been struck and killed while responding to crashes since January.