Fire truck hit in accident involving stolen vehicle

[bcjack]

Fire truck hit in accident involving stolen vehicle

June 4, 2008 - 8:00PM

By ANITA STACKHOUSE-HITE

THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER

SPRINGVILLE — A man attempting to pass another vehicle in a stolen vehicle on Highway 190 Wednesday, collided head-on with a U.S. Forest Service fire truck.

According to a CHP news release, Joseph Wesley Reagan, 27, was traveling westbound on Highway 190 and speeding when he used the eastbound lane to pass more than one vehicle. The Forest Service fire truck was traveling eastbound on Highway 190, reportedly going approximately 20 mph then the collision occurred.

The driver of the fire truck, Fabian Gomez, 26, of Selma was not injured.

Reagan, a Visalia resident, suffered moderate injuries, and was taken to Sierra View District Hospital for treatment.

Reagan was later arrested and booked on suspicion of auto theft and felony hit and run.



Additional info:

This was his second stolen car that day.
He was involved in a hit & run with another vehicle prior to hitting the fire engine and allegedly killed the driver of the car.

Source: wildlandfire.com

[bcjack]

Lindsay police arrest suspect in fatal hit-and-run

06/05/08 13:07:11

LINDSAY -- Police said today that a man who caused a fatal hit-and-run accident while driving a stolen car -- and who then stole a getaway car -- was caught after crashing head-on into a fire truck near Springville.

Officials identified 27-year-old Joseph Wesley Reagan as the driver of a silver Dodge Durango that ran a red light about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday at Highway 65 and Hermosa Avenue In Lindsay, colliding with a white sedan.

A passenger in the car, 32-year-old Lindsay resident Jose Manzo, was ejected and died at the scene. Two other people in the car suffered moderate injuries and were taken to a Porterville hospital.
Police believe Reagan limped from the accident to a nearby mini-mart where he was seen asking for a ride. He then fled and was seen trying to break into a home on Burem Lane, but was scared off by the homeowner.
Officials said Reagan then broke into another home on Westwood Avenue and stole the keys to a 2006 Pontiac.

At 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, California Highway Patrol officials said Reagan was driving the stolen Pontiac west on Highway 190 east of Balch Park Road when he struck a U.S. Forest Service Fire truck. Reagan was injured and taken to a Porterville hospital, then booked into the Tulare County Main Jail on suspicion of criminal homicide. He is being held on $1 million bail.

Source: Fresno Bee.

[AmbuDriver03]

Hopefully, the justice system does its duty, and books this guy for many many years. Outrageous disregard for other peoples safety.

It is fortunate however, that he is off of the road.