California Fire Truck Crash Kills Civilian

Apr. 13--A Sacramento Fire Department truck crashed with a two-door Honda downtown early Saturday morning, killing the car's female passenger and severely wounding the driver.

The accident happened about 2 a.m. at the intersection of 9th and L Streets, a block from the Capitol. The fire truck was driving to a house fire in Land Park, having left the station at 12th and I streets with sirens roaring and lights flashing, said Capt. Jim Doucette of the Sacramento Fire Department.

"The Fire Department's thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their friends and family," Doucette said. "This is a tragedy for everybody."

The Honda was driving west on L Street when it collided with the truck, heading south on 9th. The force demolished the car, which ended up half way down a city block.

Doucette said the four firefighters in the truck immediately jumped out and tried to revive the driver, whom he identified as Kirsten Ross. Ross was listed in critical condition at UC Davis Medical Center on Saturday night.

The passenger, who later had to be cut out of the crumpled car, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities later identified her as Nancy Concepcion Gonzalez, 20, of Roseville.

Michelle Lazark, a spokeswoman for the Sacramento Police Department who was at the scene, said she did not know where Ross and Gonzalez were traveling to or coming from.

The investigation is ongoing and it will be several days before police determine if drugs or alcohol were involved, she said.

When fire dispatch learned of the crash, it sent another truck to quench the Land Park house fire, Marian Way. No injuries were reported in that blaze, Doucette said.

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