Fresno County Sheriff's deputy involved in crash in Fresno County

FRESNO COUNTY (KFSN) -- The Fresno County Sheriff's Department confirms that a deputy was involved in a crash at Whitesbridge and Chateau Fresno in Fresno County.

The deputy was taken to the hospital with major injuries but is expected to be okay.

Around 4:30 p.m. CHP officers said is when the deputy was involved in the accident. Though it was raining at the time officers have a good idea as to what caused the crash.

"Was traveling westbound (the driver of the utility truck) preparing to make a southbound turn on to CHF, as the vehicle slowed the sheriff's officer vehicle, sheriff's deputy, was traveling west as well-- unknown rate of speed-- failed to see the driver in front of him making a turn. From what we have preliminarily that he had failed the driver make a left hand turn. As the deputy approached the vehicle, collided with rear of the vehicle causing both vehicles to careen off the road way," said Matt Radke, CHP.

It did take several minutes for firefighters using the Jaws of Life to free the injured deputy.

The deputy was conscious and able to talk to rescuers as they were getting him out of the car.

The deputy was alone at the time.

The other vehicle involved in the crash was a white Ford F-350 utility truck and that driver was also taken to the hospital with major injuries.

This investigation is still ongoing.