San Francisco Firefighter Dies In North Bay Head-On Collision
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – A San Francisco firefighter was killed Wednesday morning in a head-on collision west of Santa Rosa, fire officials said on Twitter.
Steven Pacatte, 34, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado truck east on Occidental Road near Piezzi Road in heavy fog around 5:30 a.m. when he passed a garbage truck in front of him and collided with a westbound Chevrolet Suburban driven by a female, CHP Officer David deRutte said.
The passing attempt was over broken yellow lines, which is legal, but it occurred in an unsafe area, deRutte said.
Both Chevrolet drivers were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where Pacatte was pronounced dead. The female driver suffered critical injuries, deRutte said.
Pacatte lived in Monte Rio.
"It is with great sadness that we report the passing of firefighter Steven Pacatte, Station 14," San Francisco fire officials wrote in a statement released on social media.
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Firefighter Steven Pacatte, Station 14. Steve was on his way to work this morning and was involved in a motor vehicle collision.
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) December 13, 2018
Please keep Steven's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ndBcgYqEcQ
Fire officials said Pacatte was hired in 2016 and worked at stations 3, 48 and 14.
Pacatte had recently been deployed to wildfires including the Camp Fire. He previously worked for the Tiburon Fire Protection District.
Pacatte is survived by his expecting fiancee, mother, father and sisters.
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