(KMJ) – An off-duty Santa Barbara County firefighter lost his life over the weekend following a skiing accident at a Fresno County ski resort in the Sierra Nevada.
Here are the details, as released by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office:
Members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit have identified 33 year-old Joseph (Joey) De Anda of San Luis Obispo as the skier who died at China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore.
Around 12:30 p.m Saturday, January 8th, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies responded to China Peak for a report of an injured skier. Deputies located the man in the snow, Joseph De Anda, who was pronounced deceased on scene. De Anda was traveling down a ski run with friends when he struck a tree. He was wearing a helmet, however, his injuries were too significant and he was not able to survive.
China Peak officials add De Anda had little to no skiing experience prior to taking to the Sierra slopes
Starting in 2020, De Anda served as a firefighter with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. He also worked as a communications dispatcher and paramedic for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.
“Joey will be remembered for his positive attitude and hard work ethic. Joey made lasting relationships with everyone he came in contact with. Joey was the example that if you put your heart and mind into something, you can accomplish
anything.” – Captain Daniel Bertucelli, Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office is currently working with personnel from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department to make sure De Anda receives proper honors prior to transport back to his home on the Central Coast.
