Bitteroot Hotshot Crew MVA 2004

On June 30, 2004, the Bitterroot Hotshots were on their way to their last shift on a fire on the Cibola National Forest when their crew buggy was involved in a head-on collision with a recreation vehicle (RV), killing the RV’s driver and injuring crewmembers. The driver of the RV reportedly lost control of the vehicle after a tire blowout. Two ambulances and a lifeguard helicopter responded to the wreck. Six of the Bitterroot Hotshots were injured and transported to hospitals in Socorro and Albuquerque. Four of the hotshots were treated and released in nearby Socorro. The other two crewmembers were transported to Albuquerque where one was in critical condition and the other crewmember was in "guarded" condition. The driver of the RV was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. 

Driving, Vehicle Incident or Accident