California: Cosumnes firefighter struck by car is recovering from injuries

The Cosumnes Fire Department firefighter who suffered major injuries when he was struck by a car over the weekend is doing better. The firefighter, Eric Oviedo, 38, was responding to a 1:15 a.m. Saturday collision on the northbound side of Interstate 5 about a quarter mile north of Lambert Road. The CHP said the incident began when a vehicle struck a tree about 50 feet off the east side of the highway.

CHP and firefighters responded and parked along the shoulder to provide aid, but a motorist in a Ford Econoline van driving on the highway failed to notice that traffic was slowing and struck the rear of a Honda Civic, officials said. That impact sent the Honda off the roadway and sliding through a grassy area where rescue workers were gathered.

Everyone but Oviedo was able to scramble out of the way, but the Honda struck the firefighter and threw him several feet, the CHP said. He was taken to an area hospital with what the CHP described as “major injuries.” The firefighter suffered several fractured ribs, a head laceration, a concussion and bumps and bruises. On Monday, the department tweeted “Thank you for the support for FF/P Oviedo, his family, and the CFD. His condition is improving & we appreciate your continued thoughts.”