Mail carrier injured in accident with patrol car

A Fallbrook postal worker suffered a broken pelvis and other injuries after the postal utility vehicle he was driving collided with a Sheriff’s patrol unit at 12:41 p.m. on Friday, November 13.

Jerry Morris, a 58-year-old postal worker serving the downtown Fallbrook business district, had just pulled out from the stop at the intersection of North Pico Avenue and West Hawthorne Street when he was struck by the patrol car traveling east on West Hawthorne.

According to California Highway Patrol officer Eric Newbury, Morris failed to see the squad car coming in his direction when he pulled out.

The Sheriff’s deputy, Corporal Thomas Vrabel, 58, who has been assigned to the Fallbrook command for many years, attempted to brake before hitting the postal vehicle, but could not stop in time before striking the right side of the vehicle. The impact pushed the postal vehicle into nearby shrubbery and a fire hydrant, before it came to rest against a tree.

Morris, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered a broken pelvis and injured hip.

The deputy was unharmed.

Both the postal and patrol vehicles were not seriously damaged in the collision.