Crime & Safety

Firefighter Speeding, on Prescription Meds at Time of Fatal Crash: Prosecutor

Authorities said Lt. Pat Bruce was off duty and driving his personal vehicle in a crash that killed a 25-year-old Downers Grove woman Friday. He faces three charges in relation to the accident.

An Orland and Crestwood firefighter involved in a car crash that resulted in the death of a Downers Grove woman Friday in Unincorporated Cook County has been accused of driving while on prescription medication.

Patrick Bruce, 45, of Oak Forest, was given a $250,000 bail Monday morning in court, according to Sun Times Media. Prosecutors said he was on a prescription medication, was driving about 25 mph over the posted limit and was weaving out of traffic lanes at the time of the accident, according to the report. 

Bruce, an Orland Fire Lieutenant, was off duty and driving his personal vehicle at the time of the accident, according to Orland Park Fire Chief Ken Brucki. Bruce also is a part-time firefighter with the Crestwood Fire Department.

Find out what's happening in Downers Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The crash occurred on 167th Street, near Oak Forest, when a black SUV driven by Bruce struck a white SUV and then veered into oncoming traffic hitting an Oldsmobile around 1:40 p.m., according to Sun-Times Media.

Late Sunday night, Bruce was charged with reckless homicide, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and reckless driving, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Find out what's happening in Downers Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The driver of the Oldsmobile, Anasis Knox, 25, was transported to South Suburban Hospital and died later that day.

The Orland Park Fire Protection District is cooperating with police investigators, according to a statement released by the district Sunday.

“It was a very unfortunate accident that claimed a life,” said Brucki. “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Knox family.”

Two other people involved in the accident were hospitalized.

Lt. Bruce sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Bruce has been on fire district duty injury leave since July 2012.

“We remained supportive of our employee,” said Brucki.

—Original reporting by Anna Schier and Ben Feldheim.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There are plenty of ways to keep up on Downers Grove news:


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.