With new statewide data obtained by NBC15, first responders say a trend is moving the wrong direction.
The numbers from Wisconsin Department of Transportation reflect statewide crashes which involve emergency vehicles, like police cars, fire trucks and ambulances.
There were about twice as many crashes in 2021 than there were in 2016, the data show. Last year topped off with 559 crashes, but the figure could grow as 2021 figures are still considered preliminary. Between 2016 and 2021, six people were killed in emergency vehicle crashes, not limited to first responders.
Early Thursday morning, a semi crashed into a Mineral Point fire truck, killing the two firefighters inside. Officials identified the two as Fire Captain Brian C. Busch, 43, and passenger firefighter James M. Ludlum, 69.