News: Angels Camp - CAL FIRE pickup versus Oak tree

Cal Fire truck crashes into tree

A Cal Fire employee suffered minor injuries in Angels Camp on Monday night when the truck he was driving left Highway 49 and plowed into some oak trees and a fence in front of a home.

Capt. Gordon Winningham, 47, a fire prevention officer, was driving the Cal Fire pickup south when the accident occurred just before 7 p.m.

A California Highway Patrol report said the truck clipped the highway’s shoulder and, when Winningham attempted to correct, it went out of control.

Cal Fire officials this morning said Winningham swerved to avoid a car coming in the opposite direction.

The 1999 Dodge pickup crashed into a metal fence and two trees in a yard at Ramorini Lane and 49.

The truck was totaled, CHP said.

Winningham was taken to Sonora Regional Medical Center with a complaint of pain.

He suffered minor injuries, Cal Fire Capt. Andy Murphy said this morning. He was released last night.

It was unclear if Winningham was on assignment when the crash occurred.

“We don’t know where he was going. We didn’t send him anywhere,” Murphy said.

That is not uncommon, however, because Winningham is considered a law enforcement officer, Murphy said. Sometimes, such officers are out following up on cases, he explained.

The crash is currently under investigation by Cal Fire, which is standard procedure, Murphy said.

Source: http://www.uniondemocrat.com - Link