FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Authorities confirm a member of the California Army National Guard died Sunday morning in an off-duty crash on Tollhouse Road near Van Vleet.
“Before 8 am, there was a solo vehicle crash. No one was aware of the crash happened,” said California Highway Patrol Officer John Marsh.
The driver wasn’t found for at least an hour after the car crash. Marsh said investigators don’t believe anyone else was involved in the crash.
When the car was discovered, it was found upside down at the bottom of the hill.
Authorities said the driver, who friends identify as David Solomon, worked not far from where he was found.
“He was a member of the Cal Guard up here in the Prather, Tollhouse area. He worked out of the tollhouse CAL FIRE office,” said Marsh.
Several different agencies gathered to pay respect to the fallen soldier. CAL FIRE crew members were also there to honor Solomon, who battled the flames by their side as a member of a military joint task force.
The California Military Department shared a statement with Action News. It said in part, “We can confirm that a member of the California Army National Guard serving with Joint Task Force Rattlesnake passed away earlier today following a non-duty-related incident. We are heartbroken by this loss. Our thoughts are with the family, loved ones, and the Guardsmen and CAL FIRE leadership of the Toll House crew the Soldier left behind.”
The cause of the crash is still being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.
