Riverside - A CAL FIRE fire apparatus engineer/paramedic was fatally injured this morning after being hit by a car while working along eastbound Interstate 10 in the Thousand Palms area of Riverside County. The CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire Department fire engine was on Interstate 10 near Monterey Ave, when the employee was struck by a passing vehicle.

The fire apparatus engineer was transported to Desert Regional Hospital but sadly the injuries were fatal. “This tragic accident affects the entire CAL FIRE family and deeply saddens all of the firefighting community,” Chief John R. Hawkins, CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire Department.

“Please keep our employee, their family and their crew in your thoughts and prayers,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director.

The name of the employee is being withheld pending family notification. The California Highway Patrol Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) will be handling the investigation into the accident.

Grief counselors have been made available to the department’s firefighters and family members to assist them through this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements are pending.