Hotshot Firefighter Killed In RivCo Dirt Bike Crash Mourned By Community

MOUNTAIN CENTER, CA — Tributes continue to pour in for a 21-year-old Hemet man and third-generation wildland firefighter who died last month in a dirt bike crash near Mountain Center.

Reese Whitney was identified by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau as the victim of the Sept. 25 solo-vehicle crash.

Subscribe

Whitney was a Vista Grande Hotshot based at the U.S. Forest Service's Vista Grande Guard Station on the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest near Idyllwild.

News of Whitney's passing has shaken the regional firefighting community.

In a post shared this week to Instagram, Vista Grande Hotshots shared that Whitney was "a man who was always willing to help and never backed down from a challenge. ... He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and our entire fire community. His impact, dedication, and brotherhood will never be forgotten."

According to a GoFundMe campaign organized to support his family, Whitney served as a third-generation Vista Grande Hotshot, taking immense pride in protecting his community alongside his fellow firefighters.

The campaign had raised more than $12,000 as of early Tuesday afternoon.

Loved ones remembered him as a "gentle giant with a tender heart of pure gold," describing him as a dedicated son, brother, uncle and friend whose natural charm and bright smile left a lasting impression on Idyllwild and the broader firefighting family.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal accident was reported at 6:25 a.m. Sept. 25 in the San Bernardino National Forest near McCall Park Road and Vista Way. CHP Officer Ricardo Palomera said Whitney was riding a Honda CRF450R motocross dirt bike when he failed to negotiate a curve, lost control and left the roadway.

The dirt bike overturned, ejecting Whitney, who was not wearing a helmet, authorities said. Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department paramedics arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators stated that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

The CHP is continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact the law enforcement agency at 951-846-5300.