California Highway Patrol press release:

On September 13, 2019, at approximately 752 PM, CHP Humboldt Communications Center (HCC) received a call of a possible fatal traffic collision involving a black Toyota pickup truck and a pedestrian, on SR-96 south of Downs Ranch Road, in the Orleans area.  The reporting party stated the pedestrian was in the middle of the roadway before being hit by a black Toyota pickup.  The black Toyota pickup was last seen fleeing the scene southbound on SR-96.

CHP Officers, along with emergency medical personnel, responded to the scene.  The pedestrian was determined by emergency medical personnel to have suffered from major injuries consistent with having been struck by a vehicle, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The identity of the pedestrian is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

It is unknown whether drugs and/or alcohol may have been a factor in this collision.  The CHP Humboldt Area Office is continuing its investigation into this collision and asks anyone who may have information to call 707-268-2000 or send an email to humboldt_area.humboldt_area@chp.ca.gov.