CHP Identify Jeff Tsarnas as Driver in Fernbridge Pedestrian Hit-and-Run

California Highway Patrol press release:

On the evening of Tuesday November 27, 2018, the California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area received a report of a female pedestrian whom had possibly been hit by a vehicle while walking in the lanes and crossing Fernbridge in Loleta, CA. CHP Officers responded to the scene and contacted 47 year old Marie Kelley of Garberville. Ms. Kelley was being treated by emergency medical personnel for injuries to her lower left leg, consistent with having been hit and/or run over by a vehicle. The involved vehicle had fled the scene and was unable to be identified at that time. Ms. Kelley was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna for treatment of her injuries. CHP officers recovered a broken driver side vehicle mirror at the location of the collision and this information was released through the media, in hopes of locating the vehicle, as well as possible witnesses to the collision.
The CHP received several tips from the public in regards to this investigation. On 11-29-2018, 54 year old Jeffry Tsarnas of Myers Flat came in to the Humboldt Area CHP office and stated he had been the driver at the time of the collision. Mr. Tsarnas also brought the involved vehicle to the CHP office and the broken mirror was matched to this vehicle. A full statement was obtained from Mr. Tsarnas at this time.
It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this collision.
The California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area is continuing its investigation into this felony hit and run collision and is asking anyone with additional information to contact the Humboldt Area Office of the CHP at 707-822-5981 or to send an email to humboldt_area.humboldt_area@chp.ca.gov.