BREAKING NEWS>>
COLUMBIA – South Carolina Highway Patrol is reporting that Neida Ortega, the woman whose van caused the traffic crash that killed Firefighter Chance Zobel, has only a Mexican driver’s license and no other. They go on to say that they are looking to see if she is in the United States legally.
She has been charged with driving without a license and driving too fast for conditions.
If Mrs. Ortega is in the United States illegally she will be turned over to the federal immigration department.
SCHP’s investigation has shown that the Ortega rear-ended a Chevy Impala on Eastbound I-20 near Clemson Road. The Impala continued on, crashing into two parked Fire Engines causing them to crash into Firefighters Chance Zobel and Larry Irvin.
Firefighter Chance Zobel was killed, and Firefighter Larry Irvin remains in critical but stable condition at press time. Zobel died at the hospital after being airlifted there.
The van that Ortega was driving had six passengers. One of those included her husband who had to translate to his wife because of her lack of English skills.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete, but a memorial service is expected to be held Wednesday, fire officials said.
Also on SConFire…
- Driver No Longer In Federal Custody; Funeral Planned For Today – November 17, 2010
- “He was a hero before last Saturday” – November 17, 2010
- Charleston Lends Support to Columbia – November 17, 2010
- NIOSH Report Released on Fallen Columbia Firefighter Chance Zobel – February 12, 2012
Let’s see how the State of South Carolina will “Break this off” in the firefighters across this state. I worked for the CFD for over 27 years and knew and worked along side these firefighters. I know what the men and women of the fire service in this State does on a daily basis to protect these so called “Squatters. Stand by and watch how the City of Columbia and the State of South Carolina will allow the “One-Two” punch (Heart punch and B*tch slap)that this “Squatter” Just gave not only the the firefighters of the city of Columbia but to “EVERY” past, present, and future firefighter in the US!! Don’t worry I’m sure she is presently watching the sunset while sitting behind the “Big Fence” with the large hole that allows this to happen!
Why was n’t she charged under the “Move Over Law”?
Ortega is not the person that caused the accident. The impala with a sole woman driver ran over the firefighters. Ortega’s van ran into back of fire truck with, apparently no injury to the 6 occupants and very little damage to truck. SCHP is asleep on this as well as the media, neither have interviewed the only eye witness. The name of the witness was given to Lt. Day yesterday morning. Fighters were not in median, they were in emergency lane between the firetrucks and the guard rail. The Impala came to a stop roughly 100ft past the second firetruck, that implies she was going over 50mph when she entered the gap. According to witness, she was fish tailing a good 150′ before reaching the trucks and unfortunately for Chance & Larry, managed not to slam into rear of the truck. Evidence suggests that the Mexicans had only marginal influence in the accident, but they are the easiest to hang. It was the lady in the impala who was driving too fast and not excercizing due caution (probably on the phone??)
Doc: I think that the South Carolina Highway Patrol is well trained and well disciplined in working these MVA’s. If you have any information PROVING the contrary, please post it for all to see. Monday morning quarterbacking of wrecks and fires are a very easy thing to do without the use of facts.
Those pesky facts tend to get in the way some times. Please put your information on here for people to see or this comment will be pulled for lack of proof.
Grant Mishoe, Editor-in-Chief
SConFire.com
DOC: I’m with Grant on this one. You seem to know alot of information for someone who was not on the scene or are you going on the information which was told to you by your daughter who was there?? (she’ a firefighter on E24). I beleive she too was almost hit and if would have been would you still feel the same way?? The impala was a victim of curcumstance and besides she got rear ended therefore she had to be going at a slower speed !!
If the responsible party is an american citizen, they likely would spend quite some time behind bars. Looks like if you are aleady committing a crime by being in the country illegally, then you just get sent home with no penalty. Thankfully, God will ensure FF Zobel rests in peace regardless of whether justice is served or not.
You guys are clueless! SCHP still hasn’t interviewed only witness so I guess I am the only one with the background & facts to properly analize the incident. The Impala was not rear ended, she hit the van with her right rear quarter panel before running down the firefighters (victim my ass). If my daughter were in the morgue, someone other than an innocent would be hanging from a tree by now. Why are they deporting the only other witnesses? So Ms. Impala can get out of jail free.
Hey Doc, a family is mourning the loss of their child and a department is mourning the loss of one of their own. Have a little class and put your ego aside for a bit.
You my “friend” are an the one that is clueless. Watch the language or you will be banned. You know what the SCHP has done?! You are directly involved with the MAIT Team and their investigation?! You were a witness to this tragic accident?! I have seen photos of the incident and you are wrong. Please go on before you really embarrass yourself.
As I stated previously… provide PROOF of this or you will be banned and your posts deleted. It is easy to throw out accusations without showing real facts.
Grant Mishoe, Editor-in-Chief
SConFire.com
I spoke with some contacts in LE circles and was they are very confused about how this was handled. Charges should have been reckless driving at a minimum and failure to heed the move over law. It’s obvious that at least 1 vehicle involved in the accident was traveling at a high rate of speed in the vicinity of the accident, more likely 2 vehicles. SCHP was very quick to issue a too fast for conditions ticket and driving with no valid DL and move on. This sounds like your basic fender bender, rear end tap, bump move on accident. Not an accident where a public official was killed, another seriously injured and several others were close to being fatally injured. Wonder how differently this would have been handeled if an trooper had been killed? Really don’t care much for the fire service do they?