CHP press release:
CARLOTTA, Calif. – On the evening of Monday, May 16th, the driver of a Ford F-150 sustained major injuries after driving his vehicle off the roadway and down a steep embankment on SR-36 near Grizzly Creek.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., 31 year old Ventsislav Aleksandrov Donchev of Chicago IL, was driving a 2004 Ford F-150, eastbound on SR-36 from Fortuna. For unknown reasons Mr. Donchev lost control of his vehicle. The vehicle drove off the roadway and down a steep embankment. Mr. Donchev sustained major injuries as a result of the collision.
After the collision Mr. Donchev attempted to climb up the steep embankment to the roadway above. Due to the extent of his injuries he was unable to make it far from his vehicle. Mr. Donchev attempted to use his cell phone to call for help numerous times, but was unable to due to no cell phone service in that area. Over the next few days Mr. Donchev kept attempting to climb up to the roadway. On Friday May 20th Mr. Donchev was finally successful at climbing up to the roadway where he was able to flag down a passing motorist. Mr. Donchev was transported by ground ambulance to Redwood Memorial Hospital.
DUI is not believed to be a factor in this collision. The CHP Humboldt Area office is investigating this traffic collision.