A Los Angeles Fire Department recruit who may have been involved in a traffic collision and exited his vehicle on the Hollywood (101) Freeway in Studio City was fatally struck Monday, possibly by a hit-and-run driver.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol, a two-vehicle crash occurred around 5:10 a.m. on the northbound 101 Freeway at Campo de Cahuenga, near Vineland Avenue.
LAFD spokesman Capt. Erik Scott said department recruit Jacob Fuerte, 22, was one his way to training when he "may have been involved in a traffic collision."
"He got out of his vehicle, likely to assess the situation and render aid to anyone in need, when he was hit by another vehicle," Scott said.
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Fuerte was pronounced dead at the scene. There was no immediate information on the vehicle that struck him, and Scott said the CHP was conducting a hit-and-run investigation.
Fire officials initially indicated that the recruit has come upon a traffic crash on the freeway and stopped to render aid to those involved, but on Monday afternoon Scott said Fuerte himself may have been involved in the initial crash.
Much of the northbound freeway was shut down in the area while an investigation was conducted. Fuerte's body was eventually covered with an American flag and placed in a Medical Examiner's van, then driven in a solemn procession to the Medical Examiner's office in Boyle Heights. Firefighters were seen saluting as the procession exited the freeway.
Scott said Fuerte was the son of an active-duty 17-year veteran firefighter-paramedic.
"Raised in the LAFD family, recruit Fuerte understood the importance of helping those in need," Scott said.
Fuerte joined the fire department on Feb. 12 and was in his 10th week of a 20-week training program, Scott said. He is survived by his father, two sisters, and a brother.
Anyone with information regarding the fatality was urged to contact the CHP West Valley Office at 818-888-0980.
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