Inmate Hurt in Forklift Joy Ride
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CASTAIC — A jail inmate commandeered a forklift Friday but crashed the vehicle and suffered serious injuries that will require the amputation of his foot, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said.
Jerry Hager, 35, who was serving time at the Peter J. Pitchess Honor Rancho jail for receiving stolen property, was driving the forklift through an open area at about 1:25 p.m. while another inmate rode on the side, Deputy Fidel Gonzalez said.
Hager did not know how to drive the forklift, Gonzalez said, so when it hit a puddle and skidded, he lost control and it overtured.
The inmates were thrown from the vehicle, which landed on Hager’s right foot, pinning him, Gonzalez said. It took 15 deputies to lift the forklift and free Hager, who was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, where his foot was to be amputated.
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