The Sacramento Bee
ELK GROVE, Calif. — The Cosumnes Community Services District Fire Department firefighter who suffered major injuries when he was struck by a car over the weekend has been released from a hospital.
His fellow firefighters welcomed him home in a social media post.
“Hooray! Our firefighter, Eric Oviedo, is finally home!!!!” a colleague posted on the department’s Facebook page, along with a picture. “He was able to get much-needed sleep — a solid two hours — like a typical night on his ambulance rotation!”
Oviedo, 38, was responding to a collision early Saturday morning on the northbound side of Interstate 5 about a quarter-mile north of Lambert Road. The California Highway Patrol said the incident began when a vehicle struck a tree about 50 feet off the east side of the highway.
CHP personnel and firefighters responded and parked along the shoulder to provide aid, but a motorist in a Ford Econoline van driving on the highway failed to notice that traffic was slowing and struck the rear of a Honda Civic, officials said. That impact sent the Honda off the roadway and sliding through a grassy area where rescue workers were gathered.
Everyone except Oviedo scrambled out of the way, but the Honda struck the firefighter and threw him several feet, the CHP said.
Oviedo suffered several fractured ribs, a head laceration, a concussion and bumps and bruises.
Hooray! Our firefighter, Eric Oviedo, is finally home!!!! He was able to get much needed sleep ~a solid two hours~ like a typical night on his ambulance rotation!Welcome Home Brother!
Posted by Cosumnes Fire Department on Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Copyright 2016 The Sacramento Bee
All Rights Reserved