LOS ANGELES, CA – A Ventura County firefighter suffered significant injuries early Sunday after being struck by a vehicle while working at the scene of another traffic collision on State Route 118 in Simi Valley, authorities said.
The firefighter was assisting emergency crews near the Tapo Canyon Road on-ramp when a second vehicle entered the area that had been blocked off for the earlier crash.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. The firefighter was taken to a local trauma center for treatment, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Firefighter struck while working at crash scene
The first collision occurred in the early morning hours near State Route 118 and Tapo Canyon Road.
According to information released by the fire department, the original crash involved a wrong-way driver. Emergency crews, including CHP officers and Ventura County firefighters, responded to the location and established a protected area around the collision.
A second crash then occurred while responders were still working at the scene.
Authorities said a red Tesla drove through the established traffic-control area and struck a Ventura County fire engine as well as a firefighter who was working nearby.
The firefighter was transported to a local trauma center with what the fire department described as significant injuries. The firefighter’s identity and specific injuries have not been publicly released.
Second crash happened around 3 a.m.
The California Highway Patrol said the second collision happened shortly after 2:30 a.m. Sunday, while other emergency personnel were still dealing with the earlier crash.
The sequence began when a wrong-way driver was involved in the initial collision on the freeway. Responding crews then established a traffic-control pattern intended to keep approaching vehicles away from the crash scene.
According to authorities, the Tesla driver nevertheless entered the restricted area.
The vehicle hit the fire engine and the firefighter before coming to a stop.
The CHP’s traffic division maintains public information about traffic incidents and is responsible for investigating collisions on California state highways.
Tesla driver arrested
The driver of the Tesla was arrested following the second crash, according to authorities.
Officials have not publicly released the driver’s name or detailed the specific allegations involved in the arrest.
Information available from authorities indicates that the investigation is being handled by the California Highway Patrol.
No foul play was suspected, according to the information released following the crash.
The circumstances surrounding the driver’s condition, including whether alcohol or drugs were involved, remain part of the investigation. The arrest itself does not establish criminal guilt.
Crash highlights danger for emergency crews
The collision occurred while firefighters and CHP officers were already working in an active freeway crash zone.
California law requires drivers to follow directions given by traffic officers and firefighters and to yield to emergency vehicles using warning lights and sirens. The California Driver’s Handbook also advises motorists to move to the right and stop when approaching emergency vehicles displaying emergency lights, when safe to do so.
The CHP specifically warns drivers that emergency personnel may be working on or near roadways where traffic patterns have temporarily changed.
At an active collision scene, emergency crews can be positioned outside their vehicles while treating injured people, securing damaged vehicles or directing traffic. For that reason, the department emphasizes slowing down and following temporary traffic-control instructions.
Ventura County Fire Department responds throughout Simi Valley
The injured firefighter was working for the Ventura County Fire Department, which provides fire protection, emergency medical response, rescue and other services throughout the county.
The department operates multiple stations in Simi Valley, including Station 46 on Tapo Street, which serves the northern portion of the city. The station houses Engine 46 and a reserve engine, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Other VCFD stations serve central, western and eastern portions of Simi Valley, giving the department multiple resources for traffic collisions and medical emergencies across the city.
The department also provides public information through its active-call system, although the system intentionally limits precise location information to protect residents’ privacy.
Investigation remains ongoing
The firefighter’s condition beyond the description of significant injuries was not immediately released.
The CHP continues to investigate the circumstances of both collisions, including what led to the initial wrong-way crash and how the Tesla entered the area that had been established for emergency operations.
The incident remains an active investigation, and additional information about potential charges or the driver’s condition may be released as the CHP’s investigation progresses.
