Press release from the California Highway Patrol:
On Saturday, September 21, at 0732 hours, the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Humboldt Communications Center received a call involving a two-vehicle traffic crash on westbound State Route 299, east of Essex Lane. CHP Humboldt Area units responded to investigate the incident. Upon initial investigation, it was determined that the driver of the Jeep was traveling eastbound State Route 299, east of Essex Lane, approaching a right curve in the roadway. The driver of the Jeep was unable to manipulate the curve and allowed the Jeep to leave the eastbound lanes and enter the westbound lanes of State Route 299. This led to the front end of the Jeep to collide with the front end of a Ram who was traveling westbound State Route 299. Following the crash, the parties in the Ram were transported to Saint Joseph Hospital in Eureka, CA. The driver of the Jeep was declared deceased by medical personnel on the scene. The westbound lanes of State Route 299 were closed for approximately three and a half hours and has since been reopened. The use of alcohol and/or drug(s) is unknown at this time. This incident is still being investigated by the CHP Humboldt Area.
For additional information, contact CHP Humboldt Area Public Informations Officer P. Craft at (707) 822-5981.
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