UPDATE, 2/23: CHP has released the identity of the previously unnamed victim.

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UPDATE, 3:55 p.m.: The California Highway Patrol has updated their information on last night’s fatal accident.

CHP press release:

On February 21, 2015, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Kade Chandler, was driving his 2005 Toyota Tundra eastbound on SR-36, east of Swimmers Delight.  Due to Chandler’s level of drug/alcohol impairment and traveling at an unsafe speed, Chandler failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway and allowed his vehicle to run off the north road edge and where it collided with a large redwood tree before overturning down an embankment. 

As a result of the collision, Chandler and passenger Savannah Kindred were ejected from the vehicle and sustained major injuries.  An additional unrestrained female passenger (name withheld pending notification) succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Passenger Bradly Thuemler, who was restrained at the time of the collision, suffered moderate injuries.    Chandler and Kindred were transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital.  Kindred was transferred via air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.  Thuemler was transported to St Joseph Hospital.

Chandler was subsequently arrested for felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.  He was released to Redwood Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries. 

Emergency personnel from the Carlotta Volunteer Fire Department, Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department, City Ambulance, Humboldt County Coroner’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol responded to the scene. 

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Original post: California Highway Patrol press release:

On February 21, 2015, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Kade Chandler, age 20, of Fortuna drove his 2005 Toyota Tundra eastbound on SR-36, east of Swimmers Delight while under the influence and at an unsafe speed.  Chandler began to drive his vehicle around a corner and he did not negotiate the turn.  His vehicle drove off the north road edge and collided into a large Redwood Tree, before overturning down the embankment.  As a result of the collision, two unrestrained occupants were ejected [these were injured and transported to the hospital] and another unrestrained occupant succumbed to … injuries within the vehicle.  The only restrained occupant suffered moderate injuries.  The injured occupants were transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital. 

Officer Gundersen, #20603, is investigating the collision, Acting Sergeant Michael Campbell, #16321, was the on-scene manager.  DUI is a factor and traffic control on SR-36 was limited to one way traffic control.

The California Highway Patrol - Humboldt Area responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation.  Personnel from the Carlotta Volunteer Fire Department, Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department, Humboldt County Coroner, and City Ambulance also responded to the scene.