Fire Battalion Chief Injured in Traffic Collision

Source: Google maps

A Cal Fire battalion chief was hospitalized with moderate injuries this morning after his Fire Department F-250 truck was struck by another vehicle while on an emergency run in Winchester, authorities said.

The fire official was heading eastbound on Scott Road approaching Winchester Road about 9:25 a.m. today under rainy and wet conditions, according to a CHP report. The truck's emergency red lights and siren were activated. As the driver approached Winchester Road, he slowed to observe northbound and southbound traffic.

The driver of a 2003 Toyota Tundra pick-up was approaching Winchester Road heading northbound behind a dump truck. The driver of the dump truck stopped for the emergency vehicle but the driver behind him didn't see the fire vehicle. The driver of the Toyota changed lanes to pass the dump truck and proceeded into the intersection, where the vehicle's front end collided with the right side of the emergency vehicle.

The force of the collision pushed the Fire Department vehicle through a fence at the northeast corner of Winchester Road and Scott Road. The batallion chief, a 62-year-old resident of Menifee, was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center. The other driver declined medical attention. No arrests were made.