Brian Rokos has worked in newspapers since 1985, at the Mountain Democrat in Placerville, News Chronicle in Thousand Oaks, the Cincinnati Post, the Orange County Register and currently The Press-Enterprise/Southern California News Group. Among the major stories he has covered are destructive wildfires, Christopher Dorner's rampage, the San Bernardino terrorist attack, Chase Merritt murder trial and the Perris torture case.
The helicopter did not have a Terrain Awareness and Warning System that could have alerted the pilot to the hillside even though it was recommended for all similar helicopters.
Crews from around Southern California are helping to assess damages in Ridgecrest and other areas on Saturday following Friday night's powerful temblor.