The Bloomington Fire Department is urging drivers to slow down and move over near crash scenes after a firefighter was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle at the scene of an earlier crash on Thursday.
Fire Department spokesperson Frank Friend said a driver intentionally drove through a crash scene and struck one of the firefighters near the intersection of Woodrig Road and Morrisey Drive in southeast Bloomington at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday.
The firefighter, who authorities said was directing traffic around the crash site, was treated by fellow crew members at the scene and did not go to the hospital.
Bloomington Police said they used Automated License Plate Reader [ALPR] technology to track down the suspect vehicle. It was located in the 1500 block of Calhoun Street in west Bloomington. Police said the driver, Jentry Robbins, 23, of Bloomington, was arrested without incident on charges of aggravated battery, reckless driving and failure to remain at the scene of a personal injury crash.
“This could have ended far worse than it did,” BFD Deputy Chief Jason Greer said in a news release. “We remind every motorist to slow down, move over and pay attention. Working in roadways is one of the most dangerous environments we face.”
The fire department noted 2024 data from the Emergency Responder Safety Institute [ERSI] which showed 46 emergency responders — including police, fire and EMS personnel -- were struck and killed while working roadway incidents nationwide.
