A San Diego firefighter who was riding on the back of a motorcycle suffered fatal injuries in a crash Saturday night and investigators suspect the man driving the bike was intoxicated.
San Diego fire officials said Ryan Ferrara was killed in the crash, which occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Piping Rock Lane near East County Drive, just east of El Cajon.
Ferrara was a passenger on a 2018 Harley Davidson motorcycle being driven by a 36-year-old El Cajon man, the California Highway Patrol said. Neither rider was wearing a helmet.
Ferrara, an engineer who had worked more than 13 years with San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, was "a very beloved member of our fire family," the department said on Instagram.
Fire Chief Colin Stowell said on Twitter that Ferrara's coworkers were heartbroken over the news. He urged people to "keep the family, loved ones and friends of SDFD engineer Ryan Ferrara in your thoughts and prayers."
According to the CHP, the two men were heading west on Piping Rock Lane and passing a parked car on the shoulder of the road when the driver lost control. The motorcycle rolled over and collided with the road and then slammed into the parked car. Both riders were ejected and suffered major injuries.
The driver was transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital and was being treated for his injuries. Ferrara was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he died.
Investigators said alcohol or drug impairment were suspected factors in the collision. Possible charges are pending, the CHP said.
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