News

UPDATE:
The CHP clarified in a release today that Dustin Finson, who was killed in a motorcycle accident on Broadway in May, is not suspected in the theft of another man’s identification that initially led to a misidentification in the fatal collision.

Press release from the CHP:

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. – On 05/02/2018 the Humboldt Area CHP issued a press release relating to a fatal motorcycle collision in Eureka, CA. In that press release, a stolen identification card located at the scene led investigators to misidentify the rider of the motorcycle as Charles Roybal III. Later that day, the rider was positively identified as Dustin Finson. The California Highway Patrol would like to clarify that Mr. Finson is not a suspect in the theft of Mr. Roybal’s identification. The Humboldt Area CHP extends their sincerest condolences to the family of Mr. Dustin Finson.

PREVIOUSLY:
The California Highway Patrol misidentified the Eureka man who died in a motorcycle crash earlier today.

The man killed was 33-year-old Dustin Finson, of Eureka. According to a press release, the confusion stemmed from the fact that identification found with Finson at the scene of the crash had been stolen. The Humboldt County Coroner's Office notified CHP at about 8:25 p.m. of Finson's true identity.

PREVIOUSLY:
A motorcyclist was killed this afternoon in a crash on Broadway in Eureka near Highland Avenue.

The California Highway Patrol reports that a Toyota Solara turned south onto Broadway from Highland Avenue, into the path of 39-year-old Charles Roybal III, 33-year-old Dustin Finson, of Eureka, who was heading north on his 2002 Yamaha motorcycle. Roybal Finson laid down his bike in attempt to avoid a collision, according to the CHP, but slid into the Toyota. Roybal Finson sustained major injuries and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Solara and her four passengers — including three minors — were uninjured.

The crash remains under investigation by CHP and it's currently unknown whether drugs or alcohol were a factor.

Roybal's Finson's death is the county's 11th of 2018.
See the full press release from CHP copied below and the incident report here.

On May 2, 2018, at approximately 241 PM, CHP Officers responded to Broadway St. (US-101) at Highland Ave, for a report of a collision involving a motorcycle and a vehicle. Upon CHP arrival, it was determined that a 2006 Toyota Solara, driven by 29 year old Samantha Hanna of Eureka, had attempted to turn south on Broadway St. from westbound Highland Ave. 39 year old Charles Roybal III, of Eureka, was riding his 2002 Yamaha motorcycle northbound on Broadway St., in the #1 lane (left lane). As the Toyota crossed the northbound lanes of Broadway St., Mr. Roybal laid his motorcycle down on its side in an attempt to avoid a direct collision with the Toyota. However, Mr. Roybal and the motorcycle slid into the side of the Toyota and he sustained major injuries as a result of the collision. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and provided aid to Mr. Roybal. Unfortunately, Mr. Roybal succumbed to his injuries at the scene and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel. Neither Samantha Hanna, nor any of her four passengers, sustained any injuries as a result of the collision.

Notification to next of kin was made by the Humboldt County Coroner's Office. It is unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs were a factor and the CHP is continuing its investigation into the cause of the collision.

Anyone with information related to this collision is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol at 707-822-5981 or 707-268-2000.