Saturday marks one year anniversary of firefighter’s death

Saturday marks the one year anniversary of the death of Christopher Douglas. Douglas was a firefighter who worked with Cal Fire for the Thousand Palms Engine Company.

He was killed last year after being hit by a truck while standing on the I-10 on-ramp at Monterey Avenue.

Douglas, who was 41-years-old and from Temecula, was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center but later died from his injuries.

The firetruck was parked on the right shoulder of the on-ramp because emergency crews were responding to a crash on the interstate.

The driver of a pickup truck hit the side of the firetruck and ended up striking Douglas as well. Authorities said the driver was a disabled Army veteran and Coachella Valley resident.

He submitted to a blood test and alcohol and drugs weren’t considered factors in the crash.

Governor Jerry Brown and his wife Anne issued this statement following the tragic accident:

“Anne and I were saddened to learn of the death of Engineer Christopher Douglas. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fellow state firefighters.”

Christopher Douglas was a veteran firefighter with a career spanning nearly ten years.