(UPDATE) Two McKinleyville residents die in crash near Orick

ORICK, CA. (KIEM) – From the California High Patrol: 

On 05-23-2018, at approximately 1320 hours, a red Chevrolet Silverado pickup was traveling southbound on US-101, south of Bald Hills Rd. For unknown reasons, the pickup traveled off the west roadway edge and overturned onto its side. The pickup then slid into the northbound lane of traffic where it collided with a Peterbilt tractor-trailer being driven by 50-year-old James Rumble of Crescent City. Emergency personnel responded and the driver of the pickup, along with a passenger, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured. The Humboldt County Coroner responded and transported the deceased parties from the scene. Identification of the driver and passenger are pending notification of next of kin by the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office.

Both lanes of US-101 were blocked and one-way traffic control was conducted for several hours until the roadway could be cleared.

Alcohol or drugs as factors in this collision remains under investigation.

This collision is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol and anyone with information related to this collision is encouraged to call the Humboldt Area CHP office at 707-822-5981.