Search Underway for Driver who Struck, Dragged CA Firefighter

A search is ongoing for a man who is accused of striking a firefighter and two police officers with his car after he was found passed out in a store parking lot last week.

The incident happened just before 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, when authorities received a call concerning an unconscious man in a Walmart parking lot in Delano, the police department stated in an online update Monday. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the man slumped over on the ground and partly inside a green 1998 Dodge Neon. 

Because the man appeared to be intoxicated to the point of unconsciousness, the Kern County Fire Department was called in to help. The man then came to and got into his vehicle as police and firefighters were attending to him.

Once in the car, the man put the vehicle in reverse and struck the firefighter and police officer. The firefighter also was dragged by the car, which collided with a parked police vehicle with an officer inside.

Ultimately, two police officers and a firefighter were injured in the incident. No details were given concerning the nature and extent of the injuries.

An investigation identified the man as Dustin James Drennen, 32, and he faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and assault.