PREVIOUSLY: Highway 101 Fully Closed North of Orick After Head-On Collision

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Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On November 27, 2023, at approximately 0825 hours, CHP Humboldt Communications Center received a report of a head on vehicle crash on US 101, north of Lostman Creek, between a semi truck/trailer and a passenger vehicle.

The passenger vehicle [a 2015 Audi Q5, driven by Sudipta Sarkar of Irvine] traveling southbound on US 101, for reasons still under investigation, veered into the northbound US 101 lane, directly into the path of the semi truck/trailer [a 2023 Freightliner driven by Isaiah Coleman of Gilbert, AZ].

The driver of the Freightliner was unable to take evasive action and the front of the Audi struck the front of the Freightliner. The Audi overturned during the stabilization of the crash, trapping the occupants upside down against the front of the Freightliner.

As a result of the crash, the right front passenger of the Audi suffered fatal injuries. The middle rear passenger of the Audi was transported to the hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. 

The driver and left rear passenger of the Audi were airlifted to the hospital [Mercy Medical Center in Redding] with major injuries. The right rear juvenile passenger was transported to the hospital [St. Joseph] with moderate injuries. [Note: The identities of all unnamed parties have been withheld pending notification of family members.]

The driver of the Freightliner was uninjured.

Drugs and/or alcohol are not suspected to be a factor in the crash.

Emergency personnel including Cal Fire, CA State Parks, Caltrans, US National Park Service, Orick Volunteer Fire Department, Arcata/Mad River Ambulance, and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist and render aid.

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.