Manhattan firefighter killed in crash
By BRIAN STANLEY bstanley@stmedianetwork.com May 7, 2012 3:58PM
Maps
Updated: June 9, 2012 8:10AM
MANHATTAN — A 22-year-old firefighter was killed while riding a scooter Sunday evening.
Will County police said Matthew D. Zack was riding a 1993 Honda Elite Pro around 5 p.m. in the 15000 block of West Lakeview Drive when he left the roadway and struck a tree.
According to reports, Zack, who had been hanging out with friends in the area earlier that day, was not wearing a helmet.
“At first (responding firefighters) didn’t recognize the victim until they found ID and realized it was one of our own,” Fire Chief Dan Forsythe said. Zack was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:23 p.m.
Forsythe said Zack, a lifelong resident of Manhattan, joined the department as a recruit last summer and had just started attending the East Joliet Fire Department’s training academy.
“Firefighting was his passion. He was a quiet kid, but very hardworking,” Forsythe said. “He’ll be sorely missed around here.”
Visitation for Zack will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Forsythe Funeral Home, 507 S. State St. A fire department walkthrough is scheduled for 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday.
