Crash and Injuries Result
SkippyMassey
Humboldt Sentinel
On Saturday, December 15th at approximately 6:43 p.m., the Eureka Police Department and Humboldt Bay Firefighters responded to the intersection of Del Norte and I St for a report of an injury traffic collision, the EPD
reported in a release.
Upon arriving at the scene emergency personnel found a 2007 Chevy Malibu and 2001 Toyota Tacoma that were involved in the collision.
Parties from both vehicles were transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries. A passenger from the Chevy Malibu was listed as being in critical condition, due to severe injuries sustained in the collision.
Witnesses to the collision reported that the male juvenile driver of the Toyota Tacoma was engaged in an illegal drag race with the female juvenile driver of a red Toyota Corolla just before the collision.
Witnesses estimated the speeds of the vehicles to be between 50 and 70 mph northbound on I St. The Chevy Malibu was traveling westbound on Del Norte across I St and was broadsided by the Toyota Tacoma at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. The collision caused the Tacoma to roll over as it continued north on I St and caused the Malibu to collide with a retaining wall at the intersection.
It appears that dangerous speeds (racing) were a major factor in this collision, however alcohol and/or drug influence on the part of the racers has not been ruled out.
The investigation into this collision is ongoing. Any witnesses to the collision are asked to call Traffic Officer Tim Jones at (707) 441-4109.
It’s reported there is 1 patient with moderate injuries, 3 patients with minor injuries.
From Facebook posts regarding the accident:
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to three important people to our Fortuna Boys Basketball program. Justin Claus, Varsity player; Ally Seher, Varsity Cheerleader, and Grandma Pat Seher, Super Fan.
They were involved in a car accident last night after the game in Eureka. Kids racing on H Street T-boned our loved ones!
Ally & Justin are okay. Justin has been released from the hospital but Grandma Pat is still in ICU. How fast your life goes from wonderful to fearful.
Send your thoughts and prayers to these families. Hug your family and friends and let them know you love them.”
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“There was a tournament @ the high school, Fortuna vs Eureka. The red sedan and white Tacoma were racing down I st and hit the Chevy sedan who was crossing on Del Norte. The Tacoma ended on to its top after rolling a couple times (I live a block away). My neighbor said she watched it happen… they were going very fast down I St.
The passengers of the Chevy are OK which is VERY surprising given the condition of the car.”
* * * *
“The car that got hit was not racing because it was a high school student driving her grandma around. The grandma is in the hospital and I guess it is’t looking good.
The red sedan left the scene.”
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The Times-Standard’s article by Kaci Poor, “Suspected Street Racers leave 73-Year-Old Critical Condition,” is here.
Slow down and think, kids. Fast Carma will kill you– and others.
(Posted by Skippy Massey)
Physical traffic calming measures are desperately needed on H and I streets. Long, wide uncontrolled stretches of road like this encourage people to speed, even if they’re not drag racing, because the road “feels” fast to drivers.
Google “road diets” for examples of how successful traffic calming measures can be, and how they can transform streets and neighborhoods for the better.