Firefighters from Stanislaus National Forest injured in crash

Five firefighters based in the Stanislaus National Forest were injured in a Sunday morning collision on Highway 168, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The five were riding in a U.S. Forest Service truck to a fire-prevention project in the Sierra National Forest when it was sideswiped by a Kia Sorrento that tried to pass on the right side at about 7:30 a.m., the report said. The Kia driver also was injured in the accident, which caused both vehicles to roll over.

The CHP and Forest Service provided these details on the injured people:

The truck’s driver, Derek Soden, 29, of Mariposa, had serious injuries and was flown to Community Regional Hospital in Fresno for treatment. Passenger Ben Jongeward, 32, of Groveland was taken to the same hospital with moderate injuries.

Three other firefighters had minor injuries — Lee Sands, 37, of Groveland; Ryan Baker, 28, of Yosemite; and Brittany Dowden, 29, of Madera. All were treated at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno.

The Kia’s driver, Maria Constable, 53, of Fresno, had minor injuries but did not go to a hospital.

The CHP said everyone involved was wearing seatbelts. The accident remains under investigation.

This story was originally published July 12, 2015 at 9:05 PM with the headline "Firefighters from Stanislaus National Forest injured in crash."