10–year-old boy, driver killed in crash involving fire engine in Riverside County

Two people were killed, including a 10-year-old boy, after a vehicle and a fire engine collided in Riverside County Friday. Authorities responded to the crash at State Street and Domenigoni Parkway in Hemet around 12:35 p.m. Three people were inside a Mini Cooper when the deadly crash occurred.  The fire engine was traveling north on State Street with its emergency lights and siren on when it crashed head-on with a Mini Cooper going westbound, the Press Enterprise reported. The Mini Cooper was carrying three people inside. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, a Cal Fire spokesperson said. The 10-year-old boy, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. A third young passenger in the back was hospitalized with minor injuries. All three were wearing seat belts at the time, a California Highway Patrol official told the outlet. The three firefighters were also hospitalized with minor injuries. The Cal Fire engine was travelling from Visalia to Southern California to help battle several active fires. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities did not release the identities of the boy and driver who were killed. Roads in the area will be closed for several hours as authorities investigate the scene: “Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes until the roadway is reopened,” Hemet Police said. “Please drive safely and expect delays.”