A Los Angeles Fire Department recruit was involved in a two-vehicle collision on the 101 Freeway in Studio City then got out of his Jeep and was fatally struck by another vehicle, authorities said on Tuesday, April 16.
The collision occurred around 5:10 a.m. Monday on the northbound 101 at Campo de Cahuenga, near Vineland Avenue.
Jacob Fuerte, 22, was on his way to training in a a 2000 Jeep that collided with a 2021 Ford, authorities said. The other driver was not injured.
“(An) initial investigation suggests a two-vehicle traffic crash … took place,” the California Highway Patrol said in a statement. “After this initial crash, while his vehicle was still in traffic lanes, (Fuerte) exited his vehicle. At this time, an additional multiple-vehicle traffic crash took place while (Fuerte) was outside of his vehicle. During this second crash, (Fuerte) was struck by an unknown vehicle.”
Fire officials initially had indicated that Fuerte had come upon a crash on the freeway and stopped to render aid to those involved.
Two people in a 2016 Toyota that was apparently involved in the second collision were treated at a hospital for minor injuries, the CHP reported.
Fuerte’s body was covered with an American flag and placed in a Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s van, then driven in a solemn procession to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Boyle Heights. Firefighters were seen saluting as the procession left the freeway.
Fuerte joined the department on Feb. 12 and was in his 10th week of a 20-week training program. He is survived by his father, two sisters and a brother.
The CHP asked that anyone with information regarding the second collision contact them at 818-888-0980.
