Lincoln’s Law: Proposed to Change Protocols for Trauma Victims

FOND DU LAC, WI- (WGBW) – In August of last year, 6-year-old Lincoln Menne was riding his bicycle near his home in Fond du Lac when he was struck by a truck and killed. Now, Rachelle Riebe, Lincoln’s mother, is calling for changes in laws and protocols that could save lives. She calls the efforts “Lincoln’s Law.”

Riebe said when first responders took Lincoln for treatment, the EMS team thought he would be flown to a trauma hospital. Unfortunately, he coded outside of the Emergency Room of a local hospital. 

“Because he was supposed to go straight to Flight, the paramedics didn’t notify the hospital that they had him. So they (the ER) knew nothing about him. They didn’t know age, what happened, the injuries, anything else like that,” Riebe said. “So I want to make it a law or protocol, or whatever, that even if they think you are going straight to the Flight, the ER at least be notified, so they, at least, have an idea in case you have to come in.”

Riebe said that while young Lincoln would not have survived his injuries, Lincoln’s Law would make it less chaotic when injured persons arrive at non-trauma center ERs and might save a life.

A benefit was held at the Hive in Fond du Lac to honor Lincoln’s memory and life on Sunday, January 26th. Funds raised will help Riebe’s work to change the protocols.

Civic Media’s Amanda Nimmer contributed to this report.