Firefighter dies after being struck by car near Thousand Palms

A firefighter died Friday morning near Thousand Palms after being struck by a car on Interstate 10 while responding to a traffic collision.

Christopher Douglas, a driver and paramedic with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, was struck while preparing to leave the site of one collision to respond to another, said agency spokesman Daniel Berlant.

“This tragic accident affects the entire Cal Fire family and deeply saddens all of the firefighting community,” Chief John R. Hawkins said.

Douglas, 41, of Temecula, was taken to a hospital, where he later died. He was an eight-year veteran of the department.

An investigation into the accident has been launched, Berlant said.

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stephen.ceasar@latimes.com | Twitter: @stephenceasar