From the California Highway Patrol:

On 12/19/2017, at approximately 10:25P.M., a 2004 BMW 745 LI was traveling northbound on US-101, north of SR-162, in Mendocino County. For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the BMW allowed the vehicle to leave the roadway in an easterly direction. The BMW traveled off the east roadway edge and down the embankment where it collided with a tree on the driver side. The vehicle came to rest approximately 25 feet off the east roadway edge of US-101. As a result of the collision the driver( identity being withheld pending notification) sustained fatal injuries. The passenger sustained major injuries as a result of the collision and was transported by ambulance to Howard Memorial Hospital.

The cause of the collision is still being investigated, however alcohol/drug impairment is considered to be a factor in the collision. The Garberville CHP would like to thank Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department, Laytonville Fire Department, Veri-Health Ambulance, CalTrans and Ukiah CHP for their assistance on the scene and during the investigation. This collision remains under investigation by the the Garberville CHP.