The following is a press release issued by the Clearlake Police Department. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On July 20, 2022, at approximately 1:00 am, officers from the Clearlake Police Department responded to SR 53 just north of Dam Road for a report of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Upon arrival, officers found the collision involved a Toyota Tacoma occupied by one person and a pedestrian. The driver of the Toyota was identified as 27-year-old Clearlake resident James Nielsen. Nielsen sustained minor injuries.
The pedestrian was identified as 43-year-old Clearlake resident James Torrey Jr. He sustained major injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
As a result of the investigation and based upon probable cause, officers arrested James Nielsen on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and vehicular manslaughter. He was booked into the Lake County Jail.
If you witnessed the collision, please contact Detective Trevor Franklin by email at tfranklin@clearlakepd.org or by phone at 707-994-8251.
