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EL CAJON —
An off-duty San Diego firefighter who crashed his motorcycle in East County and killed his passenger — a fellow firefighter — pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
Patrick Sullivan, 38, also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. He faces 10 years in prison when he is sentenced next month in connection with the July 18, 2020, crash that killed Ryan Ferrara, 39.
Sullivan, then a firefighter-paramedic with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, and Ferrara, an engineer with the fire department, were riding on the motorcycle through a residential neighborhood at the time of the crash, according to prosecutors. Neither was wearing a helmet.
Deputy District Attorney Cally Bright said Sullivan was traveling around 55 mph when he lost control of the bike and crashed into a parked boat, with Ferrara riding on the back.
Both riders suffered major injuries. They were taken to a hospital, where Ferrara died.
Representatives with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Sullivan was still employed by the department.
A GoFundMe page created around the time of the crash to raise funds for Sullivan and his family described the men as best friends.
Source: This post first appeared on sandiegouniontribune.com
