CHP Press Release:

22 year old Marisol Vielmas of Fortuna was driving her 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV westbound approaching mile post marker 31.13 at approximately 55 to 60 miles per hour.  Her two passengers, 18 year old Yesenia Negrete of Eureka and 16 year old Ana Farias, also of Eureka, were riding in the back seat.  The two passengers were having a conflict that escalated to Yesenia retrieving a small canister of pepper spray.  Yesenia sprayed Ana in the face.  The deployment of the pepper spray inside the enclosed vehicle affected the driver who lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled across the double yellow lines into the eastbound lane, then back into and across the westbound lane, and ran off the north roadway edge of SR-36.  The SUV overturned several times ejecting Yesenia, causing fatal injuries.  The driver and surviving passenger were wearing their seat belts and suffered only minor injuries.  They were taken by ambulance to Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna. 

DUI was not a factor; however, this collision remains under investigation by officers of the Humboldt Area office of the California Highway Patrol.  There was no highway closure. 

Humboldt Area CHP thanks the emergency personnel and first responders from CalFire, Bridgeville, the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department and City Ambulance who responded and provided emergency medical care and other critical assistance. 

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way for people to reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.  Seat belts save lives and prevent injuries.  The California Highway Patrol urges all motorists, and their passengers, to use seat belts and child safety seats.  Don’t put your own life at risk, or the life of your family or friends.  Buckle up.