ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District Chief Josh Reese said he thinks motorists are driving crazier than ever.
He made the comment after an incident Wednesday in which a driver on Interstate 74 hit a fire tanker truck that was designed to alert traffic that emergency personnel were tending to a wreck ahead.
"When you can't see a fire truck in the middle of the median with their lights flashing, something's wrong," Reese said.
Two firefighters in the tanker truck were not injured.
Illinois State Police charged the driver with violating of Scott's Law, which requires motorists to move to the passing lane when emergency vehicles with flashing lights are present on the right. If motorists are unable to switch lanes, they must reduce speed greatly.
A person found to be in violation of Scott's Law faces a fine of not more than $10,000. The offense may be aggravated if the person is found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicating compounds at the time of the violation.
The motorist did not require hospitalization, Reese said.
The accident that firefighters were responding to happened about 10 a.m. Wednesday and involved a single vehicle in the median, he said. The occupants were taken Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
Firefighters responded with an engine and the water tanker, which was rear-ended.
Reese said firefighters have had several near misses with passing vehicles.
"I just wish they'd slow down for us," he said. "I think it's just getting worse. People are driving faster."
On Christmas Eve, Illinois State Police Trooper Clay Carns, 35, was killed when he was hit by a vehicle on Interstate 55 near Channahon. He was removing debris on the road and had pulled onto the shoulder and turned on his emergency lights.
In October, Trooper Corey S. Thompson, 28, of St. Joseph died after a pickup truck hit his police motorcycle on East Leverett Road at County Road 1300 East about halfway between Champaign and Thomasboro.
Authorities said in 2024, there were more than two dozen roadside crashes involving state police.