Santa Rosa, CA – Firefighter Steven Pacatte Killed in Collision on Occidental Road

Santa Rosa, CA – (December 13, 2018) — The motorist killed Wednesday in a head-on collision has been identified as a San Francisco firefighter. The accident took place on Occidental Road, during heavy fog, at approximately 5:32 am on December 12^th.

Per the initial report, 34-year-old Steven William Pacatte, of Monte Rio, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when he suddenly swerved into an oncoming Chevrolet Suburban SUV. Emergency crews arrived at the scene and discovered both motorists were trapped in their vehicles and firefighters immediately extricated them.  Paramedics transported the female driver of the Suburban and Pacatte to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital to treat the injuries sustained in the accident. The unidentified female was in stable but critical condition when she arrived at the hospital but sadly, Pacatte died while being transported. Police indicated that Pacatte attempted to pass a slow-moving Recology garbage truck on a two‑lane rural road. Most likely he did not see the oncoming vehicle due to heavy fog.  According to detectives, it was technically legal to pass, but extremely unsafe due to the heavy fog and oncoming traffic. The San Francisco firefighter left behind his fiancee, Colleen Bialas, who is pregnant with the couple’s first child. They planned a marriage in June 2019.

Our most heartfelt prayers are with the loved ones of Steven William Pacatte. We cannot begin to understand the pain they are feeling as they cope with the tragic loss of their loved one. We wish them peace of mind and strength as they get through these trying times.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents in California

We are shocked and saddened to have learned about this fatal accident. As part of an ongoing investigation, forensic detectives will examine a multitude of factors to determine the party at fault. Once police have concluded their investigation the family of the deceased victim may be entitled to seek compensation from the responsible party.

If your loved one was killed in a preventable traffic accident, caused by the negligence of a third party, it is really important that you hire a wrongful death attorney to represent you in court. Here at the Brady Law Group, we have a team of highly skilled litigators that will fight to ensure justice is served for your loved one. Call us today at (866) 211-2562 for a free consultation.

Note: Outside sources were used in the creation of this post including news bulletins and first-hand accounts of the accident and injuries involved. As a result, the details of the accident presented have not been independently verified by our own writing staff. If you have identified any false information in the story, please inform us immediately, and we will adjust the posting to reflect the most accurate content available.

 Disclaimer: As a member of the local community, we at Brady Law Group strive to improve the overall safety and quality of life for everyone who lives in our beloved state. We are extremely saddened by these accidents but hope that, through an awareness of these dangers, those in our community will take precautions to avoid these accidents. This is not a solicitation forbusiness, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. We wish only the best and quickest recovery to all those involved in the accident.