VEHICLE COLLISION: Deputy Injured in Fiery Crash while Responding to Emergency Call

August 17, 2010

Madera County - A Madera County Sheriff’s deputy who was responding to an emergency call sustained major injuries following a collision and a fiery crash near Bass Lake.

According to reports, the deputy Homar Puga, 25, from Madera, and the other driver Cameron Ron Taylor, 22, from Oakhurst, were both moving east along Road 222, with Puga’s Ford cruiser behind Taylor’s Chevrolet Cobalt.

Authorities said Taylor was making a left turn onto Dorstan Drive when the collision occurred.

The collision caused Puga’s car to swerve in a northeast direction and crash into a tree. The vehicle then burst into flames, which started a grass fire.

Reports said the fire was put out by firefighters while several people helped the deputy.

Authorities stated that Taylor was not injured in the accident. Meanwhile, his passenger Melissa Skallerud, 27, from Oakhurst, sustained major injuries in the accident.