Dramatic Rescue on Highway 15

Two law enforcement vehicles were damaged while responding to a report of a driver having a possible “medical issue” on Highway 15.The morning of Friday, August 18, 2023 at approximately 5:32 a.m. the Jefferson County 911 Center received a 911 call in reference to a pickup that was reported as being “all over the road,” headed southbound on Highway 15 and moving through Fairbury at an estimated five miles-per-hour (mph).The pickup, a 2009 Chevy Silverado, proceeded southbound on Highway 15 over the first viaduct and was traveling southbound in the northbound lane, going between two and five mph.A deputy was in the immediate area and was able to get behind the pickup at the Highway 8 Intersection. According to the sheriff's office, the pickup proceeded southbound up the south viaduct, where is struck the concrete guardrail.Another deputy was able to drive beside the pickup and could see that the male driver was slumped over in the driver’s seat. The pickup started to angle for the end of the guardrail where there was a steep embankment off the viaduct.Not wanting the driver to injure himself and go off the top of the viaduct and down the embankment, the two deputies boxed the pickup in and slowed the pickup to a stop. The pickup made contact with both patrol vehicles as it was being stopped.The sheriff's office reports that, once stopped, the pickup was still in drive and the driver still had his foot on the accelerator. While the deputy in front stayed in his vehicle and applied brakes, the second deputy got out and attempted to make contact with the driver.The deputy located an unconscious male in the driver’s seat slumped over. The pickup was locked at the time of contact and the deputy had to break the driver’s window to make contact and put the vehicle in park.After getting the pickup door opened, the deputy who is also a paramedic, noted that the driver was having a medical emergency and needed medical attention right away. The Jefferson County Ambulance District #33 responded to the scene and took over and provided medical attention to the driver. The driver, identified as 57-year-old Dwight French of Fairbury, was transported to Jefferson Community Health and Life. There were no injuries to any deputies.All three vehicles involved sustained damage from the incident.

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