A relief fund has been set up for a Bay Area firefighter who was intentionally hit with a car following an early morning argument at a fast food restaurant in the City on Thanksgiving.
Albert Bartal, 29, is a former Marine and a single father who is fighting for his life after being hit by a black Mazda CX SUV outside of a Jack in the Box restaurant in San Francisco's Richmond district.
Bartal had been seen arguing with an unidentified man. The fireman suffered traumatic brain injuries after being struck and was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he still is.
Monday a relief fund was set up care of the San Francisco Police Credit Union to support his recovery.
People wanting to make donations to the fund can do so at the SFPCU branch at 2550 Irving St.in San Francisco and write a check to the account No. 1379608.
Bartal, who remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, has worked for the past five years as a seasonal firefighter at Cal Fire's Saratoga Summit Fire Station in Santa Cruz County, fire Capt. Jonathan Cox said.
Seasonal firefighters generally work for six to nine months each year, and the most recent fire season had ended earlier this month, Cox said.
Investigators have released photos and a surveillance video of the suspect taken inside the restaurant. (Video below with suspect in white shirt at counter).
Police said while Bartal walked to a gas station at Ninth Avenue and Geary Boulevard, the suspect got into his car, drove to the gas station and ran him down.
Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is encouraged to call the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411.
Local
Bay City News contributed to this report.
