UPDATE, 3:20 p.m.: From the California Highway Patrol:

ARCATA, Calif. - On March 21, 2015, at 6:39 a.m., a solo male driver, age 30, of Eureka was driving a 1989 Chevrolet southbound on US-101, south of Samoa Boulevard, when he lost control and collided with the center divider.  The Chevrolet traveled over the double center divider guardrails and came to rest in the #1 northbound lane.  After the Chevrolet came to rest, the male driver exited the driver seat and was standing in close proximity to the Chevrolet. 

At 6:40 a.m., 30 year old Crystal Marie Sanders of Fortuna was driving a 2000 Toyota northbound on US-101 in the #1 lane, and struck the Chevrolet / male driver.  This second collision resulted in major injuries to the male driver and minor injuries to Ms. Sanders.  The male driver, whose name is being withheld pending family notification, was transported by ambulance to Mad River Community Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.  The causes of both collisions remain under investigation.

The California Highway Patrol - Humboldt Area responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation.  Personnel from the Arcata Police Department, the Arcata Fire Protection District, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, and the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) also responded to the scene.

As a result of this collision, various lane closures were in effect on both sides of US-101 for approximately 4 hours.

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UPDATE, 10:17 a.m.: Press release from Arcata Fire District:

Arcata Fire District personnel responded to Southbound Highway 101 in the area of the S. G Street off ramp at 6:44 this morning after receiving a report of two vehicles involved in a collision. Firefighters from the Arcata station arrived and found CHP officers on scene with a person down in the median under the guardrail near a pickup truck. Medical care was initiated by Arcata-Mad River Ambulance paramedics and Arcata Firefighters. The driver of the pickup was transported to Mad River Hospital. The driver of the second vehicle refused medical treatment at the scene. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by California Highway Patrol personnel.

Arcata Fire District responded with one engine, a rescue truck and Chief Officer. Humboldt Bay Fire also responded to the incident with one engine and Chief Officer. Two ambulances responded as well as Officers from Arcata Police Department.

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A serious accident on Highway 101 near Arcata closed both northbound lanes earlier this morning, according to reader reports.

The California Highway Patrol’s dispatch center reported that one vehicle crashed into a guardrail near the Sunny Brae exit at about 6:38 a.m. Moments later, another vehicle crashed into the first. One person was ejected from a car and was found laying in the roadway.

One Lost Coast Outpost reader told us that both northbound lanes were blocked at late as 7:30 a.m.

We will update when we know more.