Ventura Co. Search And Rescue Member Killed, Several Others Injured In Major Crash On 5 Freeway In Lebec
LEBEC (CBSLA) – A Ventura County Sheriff's search and rescue volunteer was killed and several others were injured, including at least three other team members, in a multi-vehicle crash on the 5 Freeway in Lebec.
The crash occurred about 8:06 a.m. Saturday on the northbound freeway at the Vista Del Lago exit near Pyramid Lake as heavy rains drenched the region, the California Highway Patrol reported.
A Ventura County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteer was killed, and another member of his team and LA County paramedic among 9 injured in horrific crash. They were responding to overturned vehicle when struck by another driver near Pyramid Lake along 5 @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/6RKMIUe7Kr
— Kara Finnstrom (@KaraFinnstrom) February 2, 2019
The volunteer team member, later identified as Jeff Dye, was part of a unit that was headed to a training session when they stopped to assist Ventura County first responders with an earlier rollover crash. Moments later, a driver lost control of his car, according to a Los Angeles County Fire Department.
VCSO Fillmore SAR Team member Jeff Dye was helping people at a traffic collision when he was struck and killed by another vehicle. We mourn the loss of our family member today. pic.twitter.com/yEc1HHxdlt
— Ventura County Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) February 2, 2019
Tragedy today-a member of our Fillmore SAR Team was killed and three other team members injured in a traffic collision on I-5. They were on their way to Mt. Pinos for a training mission.
— Ventura County Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) February 2, 2019
The search and rescue team member was pronounced dead at the scene, and at least nine people were taken to area hospitals.
Three of the SAR teams members at the crash suffered serious injuries, LAFD reported.