Fresno County Forest Service Fire Truck Accident, on Highway 168, near Clovis

An update to the United States Forest Service fire truck collision that took place on Sunday, July 12, 2015.  The SUV accident occurred east of Clovis, on Highway 168, at about 7:30 AM.  All the firefighters hurt in the crash have been released from the hospital.

53 year old Maria E. Constable, of Fresno was driving a Kia Sorrento on Highway 168, when she attempted to pass the fire engine in the right lane.  As the SUV merged, it sideswiped the truck, with the driver's side door hitting the front wheel of the other vehicle.

The U.S. Forest Service fire truck, driven by Derek Solden, of Mariposa, swerved off the freeway, and overturned multiple times, before coming to rest in a nearby field.

The Sport Utility Vehicle also rolled over and came to rest on the rooftop.

Fiver firefighters were in the truck.  All of them were injured.  Solden suffered major injuries, and passenger Lee Sands, of Groveland, moderate injuries.  They were taken by helicopter to Community Regional Medical Center, for treatment.

The other three firefighters; Ben Jongerward, Ryan Bakers, and Brittany Dowden, sustained minor injuries.  They wre taken by ambulance to Saint Agnes Medical Center, in Fresno.

Three of the firefighters were released from the hospital after the accident on Sunday. One was released on Monday and the remaining was released on Wednesday July 15th.

Constable was hurt, but did not go to the hospital.

The police report of this accident will be probably be ready in a week or two.  If you would like us to start investigating this accident--please call.  We can come to you. www.nelsonrozier.com or give me a call at 559-713-0159.  Attorney John Rozier of Visalia.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article27375139.html#storylink=c

U.S. Forest Service Fire Truck Collision on Highway 168, near Clovis, Six Hurt

July 12, 2015- A U.S. Forest Service fire truck accident took place in Fresno County, on Sunday.  The SUV collision led to six people hurt, near Clovis, at about 7:30 AM.

Maria E. Constable, 53, of Fresno, was reported to have been driving her Kia Sorrento Sport Utility Vehicle on Highway 168.  She said she was trying to merge and passed the Forest Service fire truck on the right side of the vehicle.

The SUV sideswiped the other vehicle, and the driver's side door hit the front right wheel of the fire truck.  The Forest Service truck, which was driven by Derek Solden, of Mariposa, lost control and ran off the highway.  It rolled four times and came to rest in a nearby field.

The Kia also lost control after hitting the fire engine, and overturned twice before it ended up on its roof.

All five firefighters in the vehicle were hurt.  Solden suffered serious injuries.  Lee Sands of Groveland, sustained moderate injuries.  Both were airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center, in Fresno.

The three other firefighters; Ben Jongerward, of Groveland, Ryan Baker, of Yosemite, and Brittany Dowden, of Madera, all had minor injuries.  They were taken to Saint Agnes Medical Center.

Constable sustained minor injuries and was not taken to the hospital.

Issues still remaining to be investigated include determining the speed of the vehicles, whether road conditions may have contributed to this accident, and whether the facts of this accident as reported are accurate.  

If you would like these issues investigated further then please call Attorney John Rozier at 559-713-0159.  www.nelsonrozier.com