Inquiry Into Fatal Accident Cites Firefighter’s ‘Inattention’ to Driving

A preliminary investigation into the May 8 death of an Oxnard community activist whose van was rammed by a city fire engine places partial blame on a city firefighter’s inattentive driving.

Although traffic investigators are hesitant to cast blame on any one individual, the traffic report states that veteran Firefighter Timothy P. Linman’s “inattention” was an “associating factor” in the fatal accident. The primary cause of the accident hasn’t been identified.

“If there hadn’t been inattention, then there probably wouldn’t have been an accident,” said Oxnard Police Cmdr. John Crombach, who oversaw the investigation. The report is under review by the district attorney’s office, which will make a final determination on the cause of the accident.

George Valle, 48, died of massive bodily trauma after his Ford Aerostar van was broadsided by a fire engine responding to an emergency call. The engine--with lights flashing and siren blaring--was racing through an intersection on Oxnard Boulevard as Valle tried to make a left turn onto the street.

According to the preliminary investigation, one clue to the mechanics of the accident turned out to be the lack of skid marks at the site of impact.

“We have no physical evidence of braking,” Crombach said. “We don’t know why the [fire engine] driver didn’t brake. He hasn’t given a statement. He’s not required to do so.”

Under law, emergency vehicles responding to calls can run red lights--with caution. Other cars are required to yield.

For whatever reason, Valle--who had a green light--obviously didn’t yield, Crombach said. But did the fire truck approach with enough caution?

“The driver’s inattention does raise some questions,” Crombach said. “Was there something that made the firefighter think the van had already yielded for him? We don’t know.”

But according to some witnesses, braking might not have helped. “Basically the car turned so fast I don’t think [the firefighter] had time to hit the brakes,” said Robert Mautner of Santa Barbara.

Valle’s wife, Aileen, said she was relieved to hear the preliminary report’s findings.

“I knew he didn’t cause it,” she said. “I knew it wasn’t his fault.”

Valle had just lunched with his mother and was on his way to visit Aileen at work when the accident occurred, according to his wife. The fire engine was responding to a small grass fire that was later put out by pedestrians.

“Losing him so young was so tragic . . . for us and for the community,” she said.

Valle, who was born in La Colonia, was the father of three daughters. He volunteered as a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Oxnard and as a fund-raiser for the Ventura College basketball team.

He also worked as an employment program representative for the state Employment Development Department. In 1993, he narrowly escaped injury at his job when a gunman entered the unemployment office and fatally shot three people.

Aileen Valle declined to say whether her family plans to take legal action against the city. Crombach said he doesn’t expect the investigation to result in criminal charges.

“It’s a tragedy,” Crombach said. “We have a firefighter on his way to an emergency call with the best of intentions and another upstanding citizen goes into the intersection . . . and is killed. It’s an absolute tragedy for everyone involved.”