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A woman accused of striking a road worker while allegedly driving drunk was on probation for a recent DUI conviction, according to court records.

Two fundraisers were launched today for the 20-year-old worker who was seriously injured while moving traffic cones on a roadway in Eureka.

The collision was on Wednesday night around 11:24 p.m., in a construction zone on U.S. 101 just north of the former K-Mart.

A black SUV crossed into a closed lane where Ronnie Franklin, a Caltrans contractor employed by G.R. Sundberg, was on foot. The SUV struck Franklin, causing major injuries. He was taken to Providence St. Joseph Hospital, according to the California Highway Patrol, and was later moved to an out-of-area hospital.

Officers arrested driver Selah Town on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and probation violation, according to CHP.

Criminal charges for this week’s crash have not yet been filed against Town, according to court records. She was released on a $25,000 bail yesterday, according to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

But 26-year-old Town, of Carlotta, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI for another case in January of this year.

Her probation for the November 2025 offense was set for three years, according to court minutes. The terms of her probation prohibit her from driving after consuming drugs or alcohol.

In this 2025 case, she was initially charged with driving with nearly double the legal limit of blood alcohol content plus DUI with a minor passenger. These charges were dismissed through a plea deal.

Fundraisers were set up for the injured road worker today.

“His loved ones are facing the unimaginable as they stay close to him during this critical time,” according to a GoFundMe page authored by a family friend.

The page, which had raised around $3,400 as of Friday, aims to support the family’s travel costs and his medical expenses.

Redheaded Blackbelt reported on another fundraiser from Franklin’s girlfriend that has raised $12,400.

His girlfriend credits his crew for acting quickly, as well as first responders and St. Joseph Hospital staff for stabilizing him and moving him to the UC Davis Medical Center.

“He received multiple surgeries and was then transported to the CTICU unit. His condition is currently stable, but he has a long road of surgeries and recovery ahead of him. I want to ask for everyone to keep him and his family in your thoughts and also his crew members who had to witness this tragedy first hand,” the message said.

The collision shut down U.S. 101 in both directions for roughly three hours, according to a Caltrans spokesperson.

“We’re thinking of the injured worker, their loved ones and everyone who responded to the scene,” said Myles Cochrane, a Caltrans spokesperson, in an email.

Woman Pleaded Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter for Stabbing Roommate

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Destinee Rhamy pleaded guilty this week to involuntary manslaughter for the 2023 stabbing of her former roommate.

The deal was reached Wednesday amid preparations for a retrial, according to court minutes. The court declared a mistrial for the case earlier this year.

The Eureka Police Department reported a physical altercation that left 27-year old Holland Elbik dead by stabbing in a conflict between the two roommates, alongside one of Rhamy’s friends. Initially, the District Attorney’s Office pressed for murder charges, but over time this was reduced to voluntary manslaughter, according to court records.

But in March, a mistrial was declared for this voluntary manslaughter charge. The jury was “hopelessly deadlocked,” according to court minutes, in a 7/5 split.

The District Attorney’s Office moved forward with another trial, despite defense attorney Andrea Sullivan’s request to dismiss the case entirely.

The plea Rhamy agreed to Wednesday is conditional. If she is not eligible for the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program, which allows offenders to work instead of being incarcerated, she can withdraw the plea. There’s an upper term of four years at a local jail, according to court records.

In the deal, enhancements that would add extra prison time for using a dangerous weapon and inflicting great bodily injury would be dismissed. 

Sentencing and probation deliberations are set for October 30.

Convicted Murderer Jake Combs Pleads No Contest to Drugs-In-Jail Case As Sentencing Approaches

A man who awaits sentencing for a first-degree murder conviction pleaded no contest to a drug possession charge.

34-year-old Jake Combs pleaded no contest to possession of drugs while incarcerated on Monday, according to court minutes. He also admitted to having a prior serious criminal conviction under California’s three strikes law, which brings longer prison sentences.

Sentencing for this case is set for September 23, alongside sentencing for his murder conviction.

The court will also hear his defense attorney’s motion for a new trial for the murder of Trevor Earley — which would be the third time the case would be tried — and the District Attorney’s opposition to this motion.

He faces a maximum of 50 years to life for murder and 8 years for the drug charge.

A judge previously sought to resolve the drug case before Combs is sentenced for murder.