A San Francisco firefighter died in a head-on car crash early Wednesday morning, officials said.
Around 5:30 a.m., Steven Pacatte was driving to work behind a Recology garbage truck along a foggy Occidental Road in Santa Rosa, California Highway Patrol officials said.
While traveling eastbound toward Piezzi Road, Pacatte attempted to pass the truck by driving his Chevrolet Silverado in the westbound lane and collided with an oncoming Chevrolet Suburban. The garbage truck hit Pacatte’s truck after the first collision, officials said.
Pacatte and the woman driving the Suburban were transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where Pacatte was pronounced dead. The woman remains in critical condition. The garbage truck driver was not injured.
Pacatte had worked for the Fire Department for nearly three years at stations 3, 14 and 48, fire officials said. He had also recently provided mutual aid at last month’s Camp Fire in Butte County.
“Please keep Steven’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the Fire Department said in a statement.
Prior to San Francisco, Pacatte had worked for the Tiburon Fire Department, officials said.
A GoFundMe has been established for Pacatte’s fiancee and unborn child.
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