Cal Fire Captain Killed In Highway Crash

MERCED COUNTY, CA — A 36-year-old Cal Fire Captain was one of two people killed in a head-on crash Wednesday morning on Highway 140 near Gustine in Merced County.

Capt. Paul Rotondaro was a 13-year veteran of Cal Fire, having begun his career in 2006 with the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit, Cal Fire said in a news release. He was promoted several times before being named the 2018 Merced County firefighter of the year, Merced County Fire wrote in a Facebook post.

Rotondaro lived in Merced and is survived by his wife, Jennifer, a 13-year-old daughter and a 16-month-old son.

"His incredible sense of humor, loyalty and willingness to help others will not be forgotten," Cal Fire said in the release.

The crash occurred around 7 a.m. near Santa Fe Road, KSEE reported, after a Dodge Ram pickup driving west tried to pass a Ford Crown Victoria, slamming head-on into a Ford Ranger pickup being driven by Rotondaro, who was traveling east.

The driver of the Ram pickup, who, like Rotondaro, was alone in the vehicle, also died in the crash. A driver and passenger in the Crown Victoria declined to be treated for minor injuries, according to KSEE.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement Wednesday, offering condolences to Rotondaro's family and announcing that Capitol flags would be flown at half-staff.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, KSEE reported.