FATAL CRASH INVOLVING POLICE INSPIRES NEW LAW
A tragic car accident on January 14, 2006 left Aaron Bachman, 21, and D.J. Bachman, 15, dead. The two were killed when their vehicle was struck by a Winnebago Sheriff's Deputy responding to a domestic disturbance call. The deputy, Joseph Boomer, was traveling more than 100 miles per hour at the time and had neither his emergency lights nor his sirens on when the crash occurred.
In response to this horrific tragedy, State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) has sponsored a new bill known as "Bachman's Law," which will require police officers to activate both their lights and sirens whenever they go faster than the speed limit on their way to a call. Current state law does not require officers to do so. Rep. Wait calls the bill "common sense legislation" that will protect citizens and law enforcement officers alike.
The Illinois House passed the bill on March 25, 2009 after receiving overwhelming support. Rep. Wait is confident it will pass the Senate and become law.
