From the Eureka Police Department:

On March 9th 2013, at approximately 10:16pm the Eureka Police Department received a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian collision at the intersection of Carson St and J St. Upon arrival Officers located a young teenage male in the roadway, who had been hit by a passing vehicle. The pedestrian suffered life threatening injuries during the collision. Medical aid was summoned and Humboldt Bay Firefighters and City Ambulance personnel arrived shortly after. The pedestrian was quickly transported to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Due to the extent of his injuries, he was flown out of the area for a higher level of care shortly thereafter. On the morning of March 10th, EPD was notified that the juvenile succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

It was reported by witnesses that the juvenile was standing stationary in the intersection, in the southbound lane of J St (outside a crosswalk) and was looking down at his cellular phone when he was hit. There was no immediate indication of intoxication or impairment on the part of either the driver or the pedestrian.

The Eureka Police Department would like to remind the public that cell phone distraction is not confined to only motorists, but applies to everyone. Inattention appears to have played a major role in this horribly tragic collision that resulted in the loss of a very young life. This tragedy not only affects those close to the juvenile but the motorist as well. It also has affected those that responded to the scene and those that are investigating it.

The names of the involved parties are being withheld for investigation purposes.

Any witnesses to the collision are asked to call Traffic Officers Greg Hill at 441.4342 or Tim Jones at 441.4109.