The multi-vehicle crash that left one man dead on I Street in Eureka on Wednesday is still under investigation. But new details are emerging from a witness to the alleged hit-and-run and the following crash.
Eureka Police Department and Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a multiple-vehicle collision on I Street near 7th Street and a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision further south on the road, reportedly closer to 9th or 10th streets where a pedestrian died at the scene. The Eureka Police Department said in a Thursday news release that based on preliminary findings, it appears the same vehicle collided with the pedestrian and the additional vehicles, plus a building.
On Friday, Eureka Police spokesperson Laura Montagna declined to answer questions about whether there was a suspect in custody citing the ongoing investigation. She also refused to answer similar emailed questions Wednesday on whether a suspect was in custody or in the hospital, but noted that more information would be released after the investigation is concluded. On Thursday, she said nobody was arrested at the scene of the crash.
The pedestrian’s identity has yet to be released by authorities. Thursday afternoon he was only identified as a 66-year-old man.
Reached by phone Thursday, Susan Schumaker, a witness of the car hitting the pedestrian, told the Times-Standard she saw the pedestrian fly through the air about half a city block and said the car accelerated afterward, leaving the scene of the crash.
“(The driver) accelerated after hitting him and tore on down the road,” she said.
She said a group of people who were nearby started performing CPR in turns after the man was struck by the car. Schumaker said the group was waiting for police or EMT to arrive. Schumaker said waiting for first responders took some time.
An EPD press release said on arrival, EPD and HBF personnel took over lifesaving efforts from bystanders, though he was pronounced dead at the scene. When asked if there was a delay in response to the pedestrian crash, Montagna wrote in an email “No delay to my knowledge. Multiple units were on scene.”
The multi-car crash involved at least five vehicles, one of which was unoccupied, according to EPD. Two people were taken to the hospital, according to police — but it’s unclear if the driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian was among those injured.
A building that hosts business Impuestos King was struck by a vehicle. On Wednesday, police had taped off multiple blocks on I street and were photographing the scene and interviewing witnesses.
EPD asks anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the criminal investigations unit at 707-441-4300.
Sage Alexander can be reached at 707-441-0504
