Ron Whitt, 56, was hospitalized in critical condition Thursday night, following a crash on Thursday afternoon at the corner of West Main Street and Illinois 157 in Collinsville.
A motorcycle enthusiast, Whitt suffered near-fatal injuries on the same road in May 1995, and later said the car-cycle accident was "definitely a wake-up call." He retired in 1998, after 19 years of service. He was named Fireman of the Year in 1992. "He's a good man, very dependable," Collinsville Fire Chief Jim Twyman said Thursday night while keeping vigil with Whitt's wife, Dorothy "Pete" Whitt at St. Louis University Hospital. Whitt has three adult children, two sons and a daughter from a previous marriage.
Police did not release the name of the 16-year-old driver of the Pontiac Grand Prix LS that collided with Whitt. She appeared uninjured at the crash scene.
The collision was just after 1 p.m. Thursday. Whitt was rushed to Anderson Hospital in Maryville, then flown to St. Louis.
The fire chief said Thursday night Whitt would not undergo surgery until his condition was more stable.
"He's in very, very critical condition," Twyman said.
Andy Huff, 22, and his fianc
