Tuesday, September 11, 2007

FIREFIGHTER STRUCK AT CRASH SITE

Florence Township Firefighters and Central Lorain County Ambulance District Paramedics responded late Tuesday night to a report of a Motorcycle that crashed into a Deer on Route 113 near Gore Orphanage Road in Henrietta Township.

Paramedics and Firefighters treated the two riders for their injuries; LifeFlight flew one from the scene to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland while the second victim was taken by ambulance to Allen Medical Center. The second victim was flown out of the Emergency Room a short time later.

While LifeFlight was leaving the scene with the first victim a car traveling through the crash site struck Florence Township Firefighter Pat Finnegan Sr. throwing him to the ground. Paramedics began tending to Finnegan’s injuries and another helicopter was called to the scene. Finnegan was flown from the scene to Metro for extensive injuries to his leg.

This is a good spot to remind drivers of the “Move Over Slow Down” Law in Ohio.

The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary public safety vehicle that is displaying flashing lights shall do either of the following:
(1) If the driver of the motor vehicle is traveling on a highway that consists of at least two lanes that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the driver's motor vehicle, the driver shall proceed with due caution and, if possible and with due regard to the road, weather, and traffic conditions, shall change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary public safety vehicle.
(2) If the driver is not traveling on a highway of a type described in division (A)(1) of this section, or if the driver is traveling on a highway of that type but it is not possible to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle, and maintain a safe speed for the road, weather, and traffic conditions.

Last February TMC NEWS covered a story where Vaughn’s Towing was helping a stranded motorist on Route 2 near Middle Ridge Road. Two tow trucks and State Highway Patrol car all on scene, all with lights flashing: CLICK HERE to see what happened.

When you are on the road and you see emergency vehicles stopped at a scene, "SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER".

6 Comments:

Blogger Dave said...

Prayers going out to FF Finnegan and all of his brothers at Florence Twp. Great bunch of folks out there. Hang in there guys. We're praying for ya.

8:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How awful. These first responders put their lives on the line to come and save people in their most desperate hour, and some motorists can't be inconvenienced to use some caution. That driver should be ashamed of himself.

2:21 PM  
Blogger Herold Jenkins said...

Thoughts and prayers to FF Finnegan and his family. People really need to slow down especially around a emergency scene. I would like to know if the driver was on her/his cell phone at the time. Accidents caused by people on their cell phones are getting out of hand.

4:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Finnegan family would like to thank everyone for all of their thoughts and prayers for our father. He is doing fine at Metro as he had surgery on his left leg to repair all of the damages. He is already alert and cracking jokes at all of us!!! Also, please keep the gentleman in your thoughts an prayers as well. He is a friend of the family and we are extremely concerned about him at this certain difficult time. Thank you once again,
The Finnegan Family (Carol, Shannon, Brigid, Scott, Patrick, Kristi, Brenna, Sean, McKenna, & Braeden)

5:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ARE PRAYING FOR MY FATHER, IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! AND AS FAR AS THE DRIVER OF THAT CAR, MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIM! THIS INDIVIDUAL IS AN 80 SOME YEAR OLD MAN WHO IS A FAMILY FRIEND, AND WATCHED AS MY FATHER GREW UP. THIS GENTLEMAN WAS DISTRACTED BY THE LIGHTS OF THE METRO HELICOPTER TAKING OFF, AND SIMPLY DIDNT SEE MY FATHER! NO CELL PHONES, AND RADIO, NO OTHER DISTRACTIONS WERE INVOLVED. IT IS JUST A REMINDER THAT WE ALL NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING. AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS! SINCERELY
FIREFIGHTER / EMT SEAN K. FINNEGAN

6:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pat is in my prayers and so is the rest of my family. I have known Pat from the Lorain County Sale Commite and it is glad to know he is already cracking jokes in his time of need.

11:28 PM  

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