California Highway Patrol press release:

On the evening of Wednesday, October 8th, two separate incidents in and near highway constructions zones south of Eureka resulted in one man sent to the hospital out of a traffic collision and another man arrested for DUI out of a separate incident.

At approximately 8:40 pm, a backhoe driven by 37 year old James Meagher of McKinleyville was traveling on US-101 Northbound along the right shoulder, approaching the northbound King Salmon off-ramp.  The backhoe was in route to a roadway construction site on the southbound side of US-101 managed by a Caltrans contractor.  A 1991 Ford F-250, driven by 80 year old Charles Lawrence of the Eureka area, was traveling northbound approaching the rear of the backhoe.  Due to Lawrence’s inattention and failure to slow for the backhoe, the Ford collided into the rear of the backhoe, resulting in major front-end damage to the Ford.  The backhoe did not sustain any notable damage as a result of the impact.  Lawrence was transported by ground ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka with moderate head injuries and Meagher was uninjured.  DUI was not a factor and both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the collision.

Later that evening at approximately 10:30 pm, a 2005 Toyota Corolla driven by 45 year old Michael Santmyer of South Carolina drove directly into a roadway construction site closed off by orange traffic cones on the southbound King Salmon off-ramp.  A CHP officer at the scene who witnessed the incident contacted Santmyer and, after a DUI investigation, determined he was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.  Santmyer was subsequently arrested for misdemeanor DUI and booked into the Humboldt County Jail facility.

The CHP and Caltrans remind motorists to slow down and remain vigilant when driving through or near roadway construction zones.  Often times, construction equipment is entering or exiting construction zones requiring passing motorists to slow down to create a safe environment for construction workers and motorists.

The CHP and Caltrans further urge motorists to call 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect a driver is DUI.

Both incidents are being investigated by the CHP Humboldt Area.