From the California Highway Patrol:

On March 4, 2017, at approximately 2017 hours, a 1994 Peterbilt tank truck driven by Leroy Thomas was traveling southbound on Redwood Drive, just north of Redway Drive. 

A pedestrian was walking northbound on Redwood Drive, within the northbound lane for vehicle travel.  It was dark, rainy and the roadway was wet.  For reasons still under investigation, the pedestrian continued walking in the roadway and the front of the Peterbilt collided with him.  The pedestrian was thrown approximately 60 feet and came to rest on the west shoulder of Redwood Drive.  The pedestrian sustained major injuries as a result of the collision. 

Redway Volunteer Fire Department, City Ambulance of Eureka and Humboldt County Sheriffs Deputies assisted CHP with medical aid and traffic control.  The pedestrian was immediately transported to Jerold Phelps Community Hospital in Garberville by City Ambulance.  He was later taken to Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna.  The driver of the Peterbilt was uninjured and evaluated for DUI, which did not appear to be a factor.

The pedestrian succumbed to his injuries on March 5, 2017, at 0750 hours.  Humboldt County Coroner case number 201701057. 

The pedestrian’s name is being withheld, pending next of kin notification by the Humboldt County Coroner.  This incident remains under investigation by the Garberville CHP office.