BONDUEL, WI – Bonduel Area Fire Chief Kevin Lynch is urging drivers to put their phones away and pay attention at crash scenes after a cellphone video taken during a recent Highway 29 accident clean-up sparked widespread concern, and went viral beyond Wisconsin.
Lynch says the video highlights a growing and dangerous trend his crews deal with on nearly every call. Firefighters were managing traffic control and cleaning debris when the driver filmed, despite traffic continuing to flow through the scene.
According to Lynch, the behavior isn’t just unsafe, it’s illegal. Wisconsin law prohibits drivers from using a handheld device within 500 feet of a crash scene, a statute created in 2021 to protect emergency personnel. But even with enhanced laws and heavy traffic control measures, Lynch says drivers continue to speed through scenes, ignore cones, and put first responders at risk. At this particular incident, one vehicle clipped safety cones and forced firefighters to jump out of the way.
“People don’t realize how dangerous it is,” Lynch said. “We’re focused on our jobs, not constantly watching traffic, and a distracted driver can end a life in a split second.”
Lynch hopes the widespread attention from this video becomes a turning point. He is calling on the state to launch a stronger public-awareness campaign reminding drivers that recording and slowing down at accident scenes is reckless and potentially deadly. He emphasized that even passengers recording crash scenes is “in poor taste,” and the fascination with filming emergencies puts everyone at risk.
As for the driver who recorded the video, Lynch said he intentionally kept their name private to prevent harassment, but he hopes they, and everyone who sees the clip, learn from the mistake.
“In the end, we all have families we want to go home to,” Lynch said. “Put the phone away, respect the scene, and let us do our work safely.”
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