UPDATE, Sept. 23, 4:15 p.m.:

Moments ago, the California Highway Patrol issued this press release:

EUREKA, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrested a driver on suspicion of murder after a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) contractor died from injuries sustained in a crash on U.S. 101 in Eureka. 

On Sept. 16, CHP officers from the Humboldt Area responded to a vehicle-pedestrian collision on U.S. 101 near Sunset Drive. The crash occurred within an active Caltrans construction zone and seriously injured the contractor.

Officers initially arrested the driver, 26-year-old Selah Town of Carlotta, Calif., on suspicion of felony driving under the influence. Town later posted bail and was released.

On Sept. 19, the CHP learned that the victim had died from his injuries. Investigators from the CHP Humboldt Area and the Northern Division Investigative Services Unit, in coordination with the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, obtained a no-bail arrest warrant charging Town with murder under California Penal Code section 187.

On Sept. 22, Town surrendered without incident at the CHP Humboldt Area office and was arrested again. She was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

“Impaired driving has no place on our roads,” said CHP Capt. Samuel Griffith, commander of the CHP Humboldt Area office. “We are committed to thoroughly investigating DUI crashes and will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable. One poor decision behind the wheel can have life-changing consequences. If you’re impaired, do not drive.”

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the CHP Humboldt Area at 707-713-6300.

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Original post:

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PREVIOUSLY

• Last Night on Broadway in Eureka, a Suspected Drunk Driver Struck a Road Worker in an Active Construction Zone, Causing Major Injuries, CHP Says
• COURT ROUNDUP: Suspected Drunk Driver, Accused of Seriously Injuring Road Worker Wednesday, Was on DUI Probation
• Ronnie Franklin, the Road Construction Worker Struck by a Suspected Drunk Driver Last Week, Has Succumbed to His Injuries

Selah Town, the 26-year-old Carlotta woman accused of drunk-driving her SUV into a Caltrans road construction zone and fatally injuring a contract worker, was re-arrested this afternoon on murder charges with a no-bail warrant, the Outpost has learned. 

Town, who was on probation for a prior DUI at the time of her arrest late Wednesday night, was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility again this afternoon at 3:30 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Jason Esselman confirmed via phone.

She is being charged was arrested under Penal Code 187(a), murder “with malice aforethought,” for striking 20-year-old Ronnie Franklin Jr. of McKinleyville, while allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

Esselman said a press release will be issued later this afternoon. Check back for updates. 

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CORRECTION: This post has been updated to reflect that Town has not yet been charged.