A tragic event unfolded in Pacoima this past Sunday when a solo driver collided with a Los Angeles Fire Department fire engine, ultimately leading to the driver's death. KTLA reports that the incident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of Terra Bella and San Fernando Road near Whiteman Airport. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, the individual succumbed to the injuries sustained during the crash.
The fire engine was reportedly responding to an emergency, with lights and siren in operation, at the time of the collision, as confirmed by the LAFD. Alongside the civilian casualty, a pair of LAFD firefighters were transported with non-life-threatening injuries, as noted by NBC Los Angeles. The identification of the man in his 20s who died has not been made public, and as of the latest update, the cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Witness accounts have shed further light on the immediate aftermath of the crash. According to a statement obtained by ABC7, Luis Gomez, an eyewitness at the scene, recounted that first responders checked for signs of breathing and performed CPR on the driver before an ambulance arrived. Gomez also mentioned that this was the third crash he has seen in the three months he has been working in that area.
The Los Angeles Fire Department's statement confirmed the transportation of the civilian "in *at least* serious condition" and corroborated details regarding the two LAFD members' injuries. All further media inquiries were directed towards the Los Angeles Police Department for the ongoing investigation.
