San Bernardino National Forest Firefighter Killed In Crash Remembered

AGUANGA, CA — A U.S. Forest Service firefighter assigned to the San Bernardino National Forest, who was killed over the weekend in an off-duty motorcycle crash, is being remembered as someone who uplifted all around him.

Desmond Palmer, 34, of Hemet died about 4:20 p.m. Sunday in the 45100 block of Sage Road in Aguanga, just north of Tyler Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Palmer served on Engine 54 of the San Jacinto Ranger District.

“Desmond was an incredibly positive person who always encouraged and uplifted his coworkers,” Captain 54 Daniel Diaz of the U.S. Forest Service San Jacinto Ranger District said in a released statement. “He had an infectious laugh that could cut through any situation and improve morale around him. The loss of Desmond will be felt heavily across the District.”

Palmer joined the forest service in 2019 as a temporary firefighter on Engine 54, "finding a new passion in his life and becoming a key member of the module," according to Zach Behrens, U.S. National Forest Service/San Bernardino National Forest spokesperson.

In 2020, Palmer was selected for a permanent senior firefighter position on the engine, Behrens said.

California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Lassig said Palmer was riding his 2006 Honda CBR 1000 northbound on Sage Road at an unknown speed when he "made an unsafe turning movement," causing his motorcycle to leave the pavement and travel onto the eastern edge of the road.

The bike overturned multiple times, causing Palmer to be ejected, Lassig said.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the crash location within 20 minutes and pronounced Palmer dead at the scene.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department alerted forest officials about Palmer's death, according to Behrens.

"A forest battalion chief and division chief were able to participate in a procession with Cal fire to the coroner’s office," Behrens said.

The crash investigation is ongoing, according to Lassig.