From the California Highway Patrol:

On April 19, 2023, at approximately 1112 hours, CHP Humboldt Communications Center received a report of a vehicle off the roadway, and down a steep embankment into a creek bed, on Price Creek Road west of Blue Slide Road. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and located a 2006 Ford Escape down a steep embankment, and on its roof. The reporting party, who was on scene and is a family member of the driver, stated she had located the driver deceased inside of the vehicle prior to the arrival of emergency personnel.

The driver, 60 year old Gene Stuart of Fortuna, had unfortunately sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and appears to have been the only occupant of the vehicle at the time of the crash. At this time, it is unknown exactly when this crash occurred, though family reports they had not had contact with him for several days and were actively searching for him at the time they located his vehicle.

The California Highway Patrol extends its sincere condolences to the family and thanks all responding agencies, to include the Ferndale Police Department, Rio Dell Police Department, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department and Clyde’s Towing, for their assistance in managing the scene. The CHP Humboldt Area office is continuing its investigation and asks anyone who may have additional information to contact the California Highway Patrol at 707-822-5981.