CHP dispatch reported that last night around 11:15 there was a motorcycle and vehicle traffic collision out Hwy 36 near Wilson Lane east of Carlotta. Hwy 36 was closed in both directions for a time. The motorcyclist was reported to have had major injuries.

UPDATE 7:30 a.m.: CHP spokesman Matt Harvey stated that the motorcyclist did not survive this accident. Harvey explained that at 11:11 p.m. Krystal Layns, age 31 of Eureka was headed westbound on Hwy 36 driving her 2005 Ford Focus near Monroe Lane in Carlotta when a motorcyclist driving a 2000 Harley Davidson Buell headed east drifted over the double yellow lines and hit her vehicle head on.

The motorcyclist, name not yet released, sustained fatal injuries even though he was wearing protective gear.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. DUI hasn’t been ruled out. 

Carlotta VFD, City Ambulance of Fortuna, Caltrans as well as CHP all responded. Hwy 36 was closed for approximately one hour. There was one way controlled traffic for approximately another hour.

UPDATE 7:35 a.m.:

CHP Press Release:

On March 17, 2014, at 11:11 pm, 31 year old Krystal Layns of Eureka, CA, was driving her 2005 Ford Focus westbound on SR-36 at Monroe Lane (a private road) in Carlotta, CA, at 45 mph.  A motorcyclist was riding his 2000 Harley Davidson Buell motorcycle eastbound approaching Monroe Lane at an unknown speed.  For reasons still under investigation, the motorcyclist allowed his motorcycle to cross over the double yellow lines completely into the westbound lane of SR-36 where it collided head-on into the Ford.  The motorcyclist was fully ejected from his motorcycle, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.  Layns appeared completely un-injured.

SR-36 was closed in both directions for just over an hour.  One-way traffic control was in affect from 12:23 am until 1:30 am. 

The motorcyclist was wearing protective equipment including a helmet, and Layns was wearing her seatbelt.

DUI as a factor in this collision is still under investigation with the assistance of the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office.  Layns was not impaired.  

The name of the motorcyclist is withheld pending coroner notification to his family.

Carlotta Volunteer Fire Department, City Ambulance of Fortuna and CalTrans personnel and equipment assisted CHP officers with the scene.