Do not ignore detour signs

When all the facts are in, the death of Sedgwick County fire Lt. Bryon Johnson may be judged an unavoidable freak accident. But it’s appropriate for authorities to have launched three investigations into Johnson’s electrocution, which occurred as he fought a grass fire ignited by a power line downed when a truck hit a utility pole. And it’s not too soon to take away one essential lesson from the tragedy: Drivers should never ignore detour signs.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

7 Comments

  1. Kansas
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 3:02 am | Permalink

    Very tragic and very sad what happened to that firefighter, Lt. Bryon Johnson.

    From the TV news I watched on the story, several trucks had to turn around and clipped telephones in doing so.

    Evidently, the signs where not large enough, high enough or orange enough to warn the truck drivers that it was no through way.

    Hopefully, they will correct the situation giving several warnings for tractor trailers and big trucks.

    My condolences for the family of Lt. Johnson, we lost a hero of our community.

  2. The Phantom
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 8:08 am | Permalink

    Why wasn’t the power cut off?

  3. Kansas
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 8:52 am | Permalink

    “clipped telephones in doing so”

    should read clipped utility poles in doing so…

  4. Econ101
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 12:45 pm | Permalink

    Electrocution can happen in building fires too.The wall can be gone, but the wires, now bare, are still there!

    Dad is active in the Retired FF Association.

    They will all do what they can, I am sure.

    Another name for the memorial at the Museum, and a very sad time.

  5. Econ101
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 3:45 pm | Permalink

    Just got a map from Dad. Sedgwick County GIS put it together for Chief Rooney.Looks like the funeral route will go up Rock, from Central Christian Church, to 61st North, take ramp to K254/I235 to K96.From there, hop off 53rd North, in Maize, then South on 119th to Kellog/54/400 and Resthaven.

    This is a very long funeral procession. I hope everyone shows some respect.

    Pull over.

    Turn on your lights.

  6. Econ101
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 3:49 pm | Permalink

    http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/

  7. Tom Paine
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 4:03 pm | Permalink

    I hope that they catch the driver reponsible and they spend a couple of years tossing salad, maybe catch a shiv in the kidneys