From the California Highway Patrol:

On Sunday, November 11, 2012, at 2:50 am, 17 year old Steven James Hillaire of Miranda, California was driving a 2005 Chevy Monte Carlo northbound on SR-254 (Avenue Of The Giants), north of Miranda when his vehicle ran off the east roadway edge.  The vehicle’s left side ultimately collided into a large redwood tree where the vehicle came to rest.  Three of the vehicle’s four passengers sustained major injuries.  20 year old Shawn Paul Bergeron of Phillipsville was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna with major injuries.  16 year old Christopher Allen Thompson of Rio Dell was transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka with major injuries.  31 year old Cora Kent Pickens of Garberville was transported to Redwood Memoria Hospital with major injuries and was later flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.  29 year old James Charles Leibman of McKinleyville was uninjured, but was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital for precautionary evaluation.  Hillaire was trapped in the driver’s seat and had to be extricated by fire personnel.  He was transported to St. Joseph Hospital with major injuries and was later flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased Sunday afternoon. 

DUI does not appear to be a factor.  The California Highway Patrol Garberville Area office is investigating this traffic collision.