News

UPDATE:

The CHP announced that the vehicle found in the Trinity River did not have a body in it as previously believed.









From the CHP:

On 06/29/2017, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Humboldt Area continued our investigation into a traffic collision which resulted in a vehicle submerged within the Trinity River off of Highway 96. At first it was believed that the vehicle was occupied and that there was a possible fatality as a result. With the assistance of Trinity County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Divers and Yurok Tribal Search and Rescue boat we were able to confirm that there was not a body within the vehicle. A search of the surrounding area was conducted and no one was found. Thank you to Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, Hoopa Tribal, and Yurok Tribal PD for your assistance.

Previously:

The California Highway Patrol sent out two press releases this morning regarding a road death in Hoopa and another in McKinleyville.

The exact date of the Hoopa incident is unknown, as the CHP only received notice on Monday that a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe was lodged in the Trinity River just north of Hoopa off of State Route 96 with an as-yet-unrecovered body trapped within. The vehicle apparently left the roadway sometime between Saturday June 23 and Monday, June 26, colliding with the hillside and falling into the water. The CHP will update once the recovery effort is completed.

Another death, of a Eureka man apparently driving his Toyota 4 Runner southbound on the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 101 at around 10:25 p.m. last night, is still under investigation for possible relation to drug or alcohol use. The driver, whose name has not yet been released, collided head-on with a pickup and trailer just south of Murray Road in McKinleyville.

Humboldt County has one of the nation's highest vehicle fatality rates. See the press releases below.

From the California Highway Patrol:

Hoopa, California-On Monday, June 26, 2017, the California Highway Patrol was notified of a solo vehicle traffic collision on SR-96, north of Hoopa.

Sometime between Saturday, June 23rd and Monday, June 26th, an unknown driver, drove a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe northbound on State Route 96, north of Hoopa at an unknown speed. For reasons still under investigation, the driver made an unsafe turning movement and drove the Hyundai off the west side of the roadway. The vehicle became airborne and collided with the hillside until it plunged into the Trinity River. The vehicle became lodged in the river which was located in a small eddy. A preliminary dive was conducted and a body is believed to be trapped in the vehicle.

Further rescue efforts are being conducted and involving the Trinity County Sheriff’s Departments Search and Rescue divers.

The California Highway Patrol would also like to thank Hoopa Tribal Chairman, Ryan Jackson, the Hoopa Volunteer Fire Department, Hoopa Tribal Police Department, Hoopa Tribal Fisheries, and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance.

Humboldt CHP would like to take this opportunity to remind you to please slow down on curvy mountainous roads. Humboldt County roadways can be extremely dangerous due to our terrain. Please be mindful of narrowing roadways and always wear your seatbelt.