Authorities have confirmed that Battalion Chief Ryan Paul Rizzuto, 42, and his wife Danielle Marie Rizzuto, 41, both of Reno, died after a Chevrolet pickup struck a tree on Highway 50 near Kyburz on Dec. 7. Their two children—an 8-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl—survived but sustained major injuries. Northern Nevada fire departments held a procession to honor Chief Rizzuto, and his department has offered critical incident support while authorities continue to investigate.
Reno Battalion Chief Ryan Rizzuto and Wife Killed in Highway 50 Crash; Two Children Seriously Injured
Danielle Rizzuto/FacebookFrom left: Danielle Rizzuto and Ryan Paul Rizzuto.
Authorities have identified the two adults killed when a Chevrolet pickup struck a tree on Highway 50 near Kyburz, California, on Dec. 7 as 42-year-old Ryan Paul Rizzuto and 41-year-old Danielle Marie Rizzuto, both residents of Reno.
Crash Details and Victims
The El Dorado County Coroner’s Division announced on Dec. 10 that the couple died at the scene of the single-vehicle crash. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the pickup was traveling eastbound when it left the roadway and struck a tree on the south side of the highway.
Both parents were pronounced dead at the scene. An 8-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl who were in the vehicle sustained major injuries; authorities have not yet released an update on their condition.
Local Response and Support
Ryan Rizzuto served as a battalion chief with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District in Reno. Following the news, multiple departments from northern Nevada organized a special procession to honor the late battalion chief. The Professional Firefighters of Nevada shared video of the event on Facebook.
In a statement, the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District said it had made critical incident support resources available to all members after the "unexpected loss," and asked the community to keep the family, colleagues and friends in their thoughts and prayers.
Investigation
The CHP Placerville office provided preliminary details to local outlets, including The Sacramento Bee. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office handled victim identification through its coroner’s division. The CHP did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
“We recognize that events like this impact not only our organization but also the broader community we serve, and we are committed to supporting one another through this challenging time,” the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District said in its release.
Authorities continue to investigate and are expected to release more information as it becomes available.
