Flags at Los Angeles City Hall will be lowered to half-staff in honor of a 22-year-old fire department recruit killed when he tried to help crash victims on a San Fernando Valley freeway.
Jacob Fuerte was 10 weeks into a 20-week training program and on his way to a drill station and following in his father's footsteps, a 17-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department, when he got out of his vehicle at the scene of a crash on the 101 Freeway Monday morning in Studio City. As he attempted to help other people involved in the multi-vehicle wreck, Fuerte was apparently struck in what authorities are investigating as a hit-and-run crash, according to authorities.
LA Mayor Karen Bass said during her State of the City address Monday night that she instructed city officials to lower City Hall flags to half staff in honor of Fuerte.
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The crash was reported around 5 a.m. Monday. Video showed a car and Jeep Wrangler that appeared to have collided with a truck towing portable restrooms on a trailer. Details about what led to the initial crash were not available, but the California Highway Patrol said several 911 calls were received about the collision with some indicating a person was ejected onto the freeway.
Fuerte got out of his vehicle at the scene when he was hit by another vehicle, the CHP crash report said.
"An LAFD recruit on his way to the Drill Tower Academy for training may have been involved in a traffic collision," the LAFD said in a statement. "He got out of his vehicle to likely assess the situation and help anyone in need when he was hit by another car. Our own firefighter paramedics responded quickly to the scene, but unfortunately, they had to declare our member deceased."
A procession that included fire department vehicles escorted the recruit's body to the coroner's office.
He is survived by his father, two sisters, and a brother.
"I received devastating news this morning that one of our firefighters lost their life tragically. He had just started his firefighting career, which requires courage, bravery, and prioritizing others before oneself," LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family during this most difficult time."
Details about what led to the crash were not immediately available. The California Highway Patrol said it was investigating this incident as a hit-and-run crash.
Anyone with information about the crash was asked to contact the CHP West Valley Area Office at 818-888-0980.
