CAL FIRE Engine Collision in Hemet Results in Two Fatalities and Injuries to Firefighters
A tragic accident occurred in Hemet, California, involving a CAL FIRE engine and a Mini Cooper, resulting in the deaths of the car's driver and a 10-year-old passenger. The incident took place as the fire truck was responding to a wildfire in Riverside County. The collision happened around 12:30 p.m. on State Street, with the fire engine's emergency lights and siren activated. The driver of the Mini Cooper, a 43-year-old man from San Jacinto, died at the scene, while the young passenger succumbed to injuries at Inland Valley Medical Center. Another child in the vehicle was hospitalized for evaluation. Three firefighters aboard the CAL FIRE engine were also injured and taken to Inland Valley Hospital but were later released. The California Highway Patrol stated that all involved were wearing seatbelts and that alcohol or drugs were not factors in the crash. The fire engine was part of a strike team from the Tulare Unit, responding to the Cranston fire, which was contained after burning two acres.