From the California Highway Patrol:

On 01-03-2019, at approximately 1638 hours, the Humboldt Communications Center received a call of a vehicle off the roadway on SR-36 near Mile Post Marker (MPM) 9.74.

Officers and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and located a 1989 Ford pickup which had traveled off the roadway and caused a passenger in the bed of the pickup to be ejected. 30 year old Jilene Minton, of Carlotta, had been riding unsecured in the bed of the pickup and suffered major injuries after being ejected from the pickup. A second passenger, 57 year old Dawson Phillips of Eureka, was able to exit the pickup on his own and did not suffer any injuries.

The driver, 31 year old Carson Hatcher of Carlotta, did not suffer any injuries and fled the scene prior to law enforcement arrival. With the assistance of Mr. Phillips, officers located Mr. Hatcher on Fox Creek Rd. Mr. Hatcher was subsequently arrested for DUI and Felony Hit and Run, and was booked into the Humboldt County Jail. Ms. Minton was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital for treatment of her injuries. Alcohol and/or drugs are considered a factor in this collision.

The California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area is continuing its investigation into this collision and is asking anyone with additional information to contact the Humboldt Area CHP Office at 707-822-5981 or to send an email to humboldt_area.humboldt_area@chp.ca.gov.