Crime & Safety

Orland Firefighter Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Charge in Fatal Oak Forest Crash

Pat Bruce, of Oak Forest, entered his plea Thursday in connection with a March 1 crash that killed a Downers Grove woman, Sun-Times Media reports.

An Orland Park Fire Protection District lieutenant pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony reckless homicide and other driving charges in connection with an Oak Forest crash that killed a Downers Grove woman last month, Sun-Times Media reported.

READ: Check Out the Full Sun-Times Media Story for More Details

Pat Bruce, 45, of Oak Forest, was in Cook County court Thursday to enter his plea on the reckless homicide charge, as well as failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and reckless driving charges, the report stated. Bruce's next court date is May 17, the report added.

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. Knox, 25, was hospitalized and died later that day. Prosecutors claim Bruce was taking prescription pain medication at the time and was weaving in and out of traffic.

READ: Firefighter Charged With Reckless Homicide in Crash That Killed Downers Grove Woman

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Bruce, who also works part-time for the Crestwood Fire Department, has been on injury leave from the Orland fire district since July 2012, Chief Ken Brucki said in March.

 

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