Orland Fire Protection District Plans To Discipline Firefighter Over Fatal Crash

ORLAND PARK, Ill. (STMW) -- Orland Fire Protection District officials plan to meet with the Cook County State's Attorney's office Thursday before disciplining the lieutenant charged with reckless homicide in the death of a 25-year-old Downers Grove woman.

Patrick Bruce, 45, of southwest suburban Oak Forest, also was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and reckless driving in the Friday crash that killed Anasis Knox.

Bruce is due in court Thursday at the Cook County courthouse in Bridgeview.

Jim Roche, an attorney for the Orland Fire Protection District, said he or a co-workers will meet with Cook County prosecutors before the hearing to discuss the case. Roche said that once he finds out details of the charges against Bruce, the district will proceed in disciplining him.

"Obviously, this is a very serious, grievous situation," Roche said. "This is not like someone got into a fight with their neighbor."

During his bail hearing Monday, prosecutors said Bruce had taken prescription pain medication, was weaving between lanes, and was driving 60 mph in a 35-mph zone prior to the crash.

Bruce has been on leave from the Orland fire district since July 4 due to a work-related injury.

Bruce is also a part-time deputy fire chief in Crestwood. Bruce's brother, Jon Bruce, is the Crestwood fire chief, and also a lieutenant in the Orland Fire Protection District.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)