Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On Sunday, December 29, 2024 at approximately 8:44 AM, a 2024 Ford pickup was being driven on Centerville Road, west of Poole Road., by an adult male. The Ford was also occupied by two male juveniles [ages 5 and 3], who were unrestrained on the flat bed of the truck.

The Ford was traveling eastbound on Centerville Road, west of Poole Road. As the driver of the Ford turned left onto a private road, one of the juveniles was ejected and suffered major head trauma as a result of the fall.

The driver immediately notified emergency personnel and self-transported the injured juvenile to Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna. Unfortunately, the juvenile succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the hospital.

The names of all parties are currently being withheld, out of respect for the families of the involved.

The California Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation and asks for anyone that may have information related to this crash to contact the Humboldt Area CHP at 707-822-5981 or email Humboldt_Area@chp.ca.gov.

[NOTE: The incident report included with this press release indicates that the driver’s age was 56 while the juveniles’ ages were 5 and 3. The 3-year-old was identified as the fatality.]