Humboldt CHP responds to 18 fatal collisions, resulting in 22 deaths in 2017

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CA. – It was a deadly year on Humboldt County roadways, with local California Highway Patrol officers responding to 18 collisions that resulted in 22 fatalities.

Of these 18 crashes, two had multiple fatalities, and four involved pedestrians.

• 8 took place on Highway 101 – one on 4th Street, and one on Broadway in Eureka, taking the lives of four drivers, three pedestrians, and one passenger
• 1 took place on SR-96, claiming the lives of a mother and her two kids
• 3 took place on Highway 36, all three victims drivers
• 1 took place on SR-200 (North Bank Road) in the McKinleyville area, results in the fatality of a pedestrian
• 1 took place on Mountain View Road in Kneeland
• 1 on Country Club Drive, in Willow Creek, killing the rider of a horse

Humboldt County exceeds the national average for roadway deaths, and CHP Public Information Officer Paul Craft says it’s hard to pin point the reason why.

He says this year a wetter winter, with snow and rain making for poor driving conditions, was likely was a factor.

Also this year, several slides diverting traffic to unfamiliar roadways could have played a part.

Craft says in the new year, local CHP is continuing to push seat belt use, a huge factor in crash survival, and is developing new programs to work with young and aged drivers.