Lawmakers have advanced legislation that changes how ambulances operate after a 23-year-old man died when an ambulance, which was responding without sirens, hit his motorcycle in Waukegan.
Donald Stallworth III, 23, of North Chicago, died on May 16, 2022, following a two-vehicle crash at Lake Street and Genesee Street in Waukegan.
A Waukegan Fire Department ambulance was transporting a patient from a call in the 200 block of South Martin Luther King Jr Drive, according to Waukegan Fire Marshal Todd Zupec at the time.
The ambulance was en route to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan when it collided with a motorcycle in the intersection.
Stallworth was transported by ambulance to Vista Medical Center East with life-threatening injuries, Zupec said. He later died from his injuries.
Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, said the ambulance was driving through the stop sign without its siren.
Johnson introduced Senate Bill 1251, the “Donald (DJ) Stallworth, III Act,” which would require ambulances proceeding through a red light or stop sign to slow down and use both the siren and lights.
“The passing of this bill is very important to our family because our lives have been forever changed. We have experienced an unbelievable loss with the passing of DJ, due to such a tragic accident,” said the man’s mother, Satrese Stallworth.
“He was a beautiful, amazing, talented, and very respectful young man. We will never get to experience his greatness in this lifetime. We don’t want to see another family suffer a great loss and experience the pain we’re enduring. Pain that was inflicted upon us by the people who come to preserve and save life. This is why it’s important to incorporate this law and keep his legacy alive,” she said.
The proposed measure would require ambulance drivers to have documented training on the proper use of warning lights and sirens and situations where those lights and sirens are warranted.
“The very duty of ambulance drivers is to help save lives – however, we can’t put the risk of other people’s lives in danger,” Johnson said.
“I commend Mr. and Mrs. Stallworth for their bravery and advocacy to tell their late son’s story and uplift his legacy to make adequate change,” she added.
Senate Bill 1251 has passed the Senate and House and is awaiting the governor’s signature to be signed into law.
The family of Stallworth, who was a father, has filed a lawsuit against the driver of the ambulance and the City of Waukegan.
The wrongful death lawsuit is pending in Lake County Circuit Court.