On January 2, 2020 at about 12:40 p.m., the Eureka Police Department, Humboldt Bay
Fire, and City Ambulance responded to the area of West Buhne and Union Streets for the
report of a vehicle into a power pole.
It was reported that the driver was attempting to
flee on foot.
Officers arrived on scene and located the at fault driver, Kayla Kempton (23 of Eureka), a
short distance away. It was determined Kempton was driving recklessly before colliding
with a vehicle and then the power pole. The other involved driver was transported to the
hospital for evaluation.
The collision caused a power outage to thousands in Eureka. PG&E responded to repair
the pole and restore power.
Kempton was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for
driving under the influence, hit and run, and driving while unlicensed.