HOOD RIVER, Ore. — A volunteer firefighter riding her bicycle was killed in a crash involving a pickup Sunday.
Ellen Dittebrandt, 52, was a firefighter and EMT with the Mosier (Ore.) Fire and Emergency Services. “The fire and EMS services lost a legend today,” the department’s website read.
Investigators said she was approaching an off-ramp when her bike was struck from behind by a pickup, according to KPTV. Dittebrandt, a firefighter and EMT, was thrown off her bike and killed. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said she was wearing a helmet at the time, according to the report.
The driver of the pickup, identified as John Allman, 55, remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, according to police.
Troopers said there was daylight at the time of the crash and traffic was light. Investigators said driver fatigue has been identified as a contributing factor to the crash, according to the report.
The completed investigation will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for review and consideration of possible criminal charges.