Off-Duty CA Firefighter Killed in Crash

Dec. 24, 2018
Albaro Meraz, 52, a firefighter with the Cosumnes Fire District, died after he lost control and his vehicle rolled Saturday afternoon in Elk Grove.

An off-duty California firefighter was killed in a single-vehicle accident over the weekend in Elk Grove. Albaro Meraz, 52, a firefighter with the Cosumnes Fire District lost control of his 1971 Toyota, which then rolled over Saturday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol told KCRA-TV. No other cars were involved in the accident.

"Firefighter Meraz was a deeply valued brother in the fire service, among the 185 members of the Cosumnes Fire family and our local community," Cosumnes Fire Chief Mike McLaughlin wrote in a message posted to social media. "Our hearts are broken for his wife Dina, son Josh, and daughter Cheyenne for their loss."

Meraz joined the fire district in 2001, and he received the Valor Award for Exemplary Service in the Course of Duty in 2007.