Procession held for firefighter who died at China Peak passes through SLO County
The body of a firefighter from San Luis Obispo who died in a weekend accident at China Peak Mountain Resort returned to the Central Coast on Tuesday, in a procession from the Fresno County Coroner’s Office through San Luis Obispo County.
In San Luis Obispo County, firefighters and supporters gathered on overpasses to pay their respects as a long line of emergency vehicles passed below with their lights flashing.
Joseph (Joey) De Anda died on Saturday afternoon after crashing into a tree while snowboarding at the resort.
The 33-year-old had served as a firefighter with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department since 2020.
De Anda’s casket was carried in a Santa Barbara County Sheriff Department tactical SWAT vehicle called the Bearcat, in tribute to his service as a SWAT team member.
The procession departed from Fresno shortly after noon. it made its way down Highway 101 in the late afternoon en route to a funeral home in Santa Maria, according to KSBY.
De Anda worked in journalism and emergency services
Before becoming a first responder, De Anda studied journalism at Cal Poly and Cuesta College, according to his Twitter bio and a former professor. He also worked in TV news on the Central Coast, as an intern for KSBY in 2017 and as an editor for KCOY in 2005, according to KSBY.
Friends and colleagues, as well as several SLO County fire departments, shared memories and condolences this week.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow Santa Barbara County firefighters as they mourn the loss of Firefighter Joey De Anda,” the Atascadero Fire Department tweeted on Sunday. “Thank you for serving our community ... with San Luis Ambulance. Joey, you will be missed. RIP brother.”
Donations to De Anda’s family can be made online through the Santa Barbara County Benevolent Foundation.
This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 12:59 PM.