Bryan Schuetz Killed In Bond County Semi-Truck Accident

Truck Accident - June 13, 2025

Bryan Schuetz, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Died After Exiting Ambulance Before Bond County Truck Accident on Interstate 70

BOND COUNTY, ILLINOIS (June 13, 2025) – A 38-year-old man identified as Bryan Schuetz has tragically died in a Bond County semi-truck accident on Interstate 70.

Bond County officials are saying that the incident took place around 3:30 a.m. on Monday. Bryan Schuetz was being transported in an ambulance to a hospital in St. Louis.

The patient allegedly became agitated in the back of the ambulance before it pulled over. At some point, he exited the ambulance before being hit by a semi-truck in the westbound lanes of I-70.

Paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. He was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

Despite life-saving measures, Bryan Schuetz was pronounced dead at the hospital. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Bond County Semi-Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks pose a serious risk of injury and death for pedestrians and those in smaller vehicles in the event of an accident. According to National Public Radio, “Pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. have been climbing steadily, to their highest level in more than 40 years. The number of pedestrian deaths is growing faster than traffic fatalities overall, jumping more than 80% since 2009.” Truck drivers should take many actions in order to avoid hitting pedestrians on the roadway.

• Truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for potential hazards. This includes looking out for the presence of pedestrians and vehicles that may be stopped in the middle of the road.
• Truck drivers should take periodic rest breaks as required by law.
• Truck drivers must comply with all regulations that limit how many hours they can work per week.
• Truck drivers should avoid using their cellphones and other electronic devices while driving their routes.

Commercial truck drivers are required to get a commercial license. They must be intimately familiar with how their vehicle operates and how long it takes for it to come to a stop. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all drivers shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway. They must sound their horn when necessary and be particularly cautious when encountering any child or person who appears confused or incapacitated. When a truck driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

Depending on the facts of any case, it is also possible that an ambulance provider could face liability if a patient in their care dies. EMS services have a legal duty to protect patients from foreseeable sources of harm. Illinois law does provide some immunity for ordinary negligence involving EMS providers. However, they can still be liable for willful and wanton misconduct. Knowingly placing a distressed patient in a dangerous situation near a busy interstate could possibly fall in this category. There are certain steps that EMS providers should take if a patient becomes distressed during a ride.

• EMS providers may need to use soft restraints to protect the patient.
• EMS providers may need to request law enforcement backup.
• EMS providers should avoid stopping on busy interstates unless absolutely
• EMS providers should keep the rear doors of the ambulance closed to prevent patients from exiting the vehicle until the ambulance arrives at its destination.

It can be hard to know where to begin if a loved one has died in a motor vehicle accident. Many of these accidents are highly preventable. They are often complex and may involve liability on the part of multiple parties. Sadly, truck drivers and medical providers will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if a person dies. This is why it is so important that these incidents are properly investigated by an outside party. The family of any person who died in a motor vehicle accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil action.

Investigating Bond County Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Bryan Schuetz. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the authorities. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. Did EMS providers follow standard safety protocols? Did EMS providers request law enforcement backup?

Do you need more information about a Bond County semi-truck accident? Our team of victims’ rights advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and holding negligent parties accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.