05/27/2026
Today I would like to reflect on an incident that I was involved in and was the cause of, while driving a Huntingburg Fire Department pickup truck.
I was traveling north on Main Street and was at the bottom of the hill approaching 4th Street when I heard ambulance radio traffic come across the fire department radio. I looked down briefly to adjust the volume so I could better hear the transmission. When I looked back up, the traffic light had turned red and I was already well into the intersection before I was able to stop. Another vehicle was legally proceeding through the intersection on their green light, and we came dangerously close to colliding. Thankfully, no collision occurred, but it was absolutely a frightening moment for everyone involved.
This incident was 100% preventable. The cause was distracted driving.
When people think about distracted driving, they often think only about cell phones. The reality is that distractions come in many forms, including mental distractions and brief lapses in attention. Adjusting radios or controls, interacting with passengers, eating or drinking, reaching for objects, personal grooming, and many other in-vehicle activities can take our attention away from the road long enough for a serious crash to happen.
I was able to speak with one of the occupants of the other vehicle and personally apologize. I take full ownership of what happened. I would also like to apologize to the occupants of the vehicle involved and to the community. The public entrusts us to operate our vehicles safely, and in this instance I fell short of that responsibility.
At the Huntingburg Fire Department, we strive to operate all department vehicles with due regard for the safety of the public and our personnel. However, we are human, and today was an important reminder of how quickly conditions can change behind the wheel.
I am especially thankful for the defensive actions of the young lady driving the other vehicle. Her attentiveness and quick reaction likely prevented a serious accident.
This was not normal driving behavior for me, but it was eye-opening and serves as a reminder of how quickly life-changing consequences can happen in just a matter of seconds.
Please join me in using this as a reminder to put distractions away, stay alert, and drive defensively. Whether you drive emergency vehicles or personal vehicles, safety must always come first.
