Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On May 4, 2024, at approximately 2:45 am, Humboldt Communications Center (CHP Dispatch) received a 9-1-1 call of a pedestrian lying down in the lanes of northbound US 101, near Piercy, CA. The California Highway Patrol’s Garberville Area officers responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, officers located a pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene and the involved vehicle(s) did not stop or call 9-1-1 to report the incident.

Dakota Stafslien. Photo submitted by family.

The decedent, Dakota Stafslien, 28-years-old, resided in the Garberville/Redway area. The California Highway Patrol’s Garberville Area is investigating the incident. The investigators are requesting assistance from the public. If you know anything regarding the involved vehicle(s) or person(s) who may have been involved, we are asking you to contact the California Highway Patrol, Garberville Area, at (707) 932-6100 during normal business hours (Monday - Friday 8am – 5pm) or Humboldt Communications Center (707) 268-2000 outside of normal business hours.

[CORRECTION: This post initially misstated the sex of the deceased. We regret the error.]