UPDATE, Dec. 23:

The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 40 year old Derek Radcliffe of Fortuna, according to the CHP.

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Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On 12/18/2020, at approximately 1957 hours [7:57 p.m.], the CHP Humboldt Communication Center (HCC) received a call of a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision on United States Route 101 (US-101) northbound, south of Loleta Drive.

CHP, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, Fortuna Fire Department, and City Ambulance personnel responded to the scene.

Based on CHP’s preliminary investigation, it appears this collision occurred when John Doe, a pedestrian dressed in dark clothing, walked in an easterly direction across US-101 northbound into the path of a 2010 Toyota driven by Ms. [Scarlett] Pettyjohn [age 50, of Los Angeles].

John Doe was knocked to the roadway and a 2006 Chevrolet, driven by Mr. [Thomas] Akin [age 57, of Visalia], subsequently collided with Doe’s body.

Unfortunately, John Doe succumbed to his injuries on scene and was pronounced deceased at approximately 2007 hours [8:07 p.m.]. John Doe’s drug and/or alcohol impairment, and identification, are pending determination by the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office.

No other parties were found to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at the time of this collision. The CHP is continuing to investigate this collision and asks anyone with information to contact the Humboldt Area CHP office at (707)822-5981. Please reference CHP Case Number 9125-2020-00933.

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DOCUMENT: Report of Collision