METTLER, Calif., On March 16, 2025, at 12:09 a.m. Kern County firefighters were dispatched to a reported semi-truck fire on Highway 99, just north of David Road. Upon arrival, they found a tractor-trailer, with the trailer detached and fully engulfed in flames.

During the firefight, a firefighter standing beside a fire engine noticed a vehicle hurtling toward him out of the corner of his eye. With only a fraction of a second to react, he threw himself against the fire engine in an attempt to avoid the oncoming vehicle. This quick action may have saved his life. While he managed to move the majority of his body out of harm’s way, he was clipped by the passing vehicle, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

The Kern County Fire Department is grateful that this incident did not result in major injuries or, worse, the loss of a firefighter. This serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers that firefighters and first responders face daily. Highways, with traffic speeding by, are incredibly hazardous places to work. We urge everyone on the road to stay alert around workers and first responders. Slow down and move over as you approach and pass emergency scenes. Your actions could save a life.