The following is a press release issued by the California Highway Patrol Garberville Office:
On April 5th, 2025, at 1355 hours, Humboldt Communications Center (HCC) received a 9-1-1 call of a solo vehicle crash on SR 162 near MPM 5.7. CHP officers arrived on scene at 1358 hours and found the solo occupant of the vehicle was unresponsive. CHP officers provided life-saving measures on the driver until relieved by Laytonville Fire Department. The driver, Dennis Shepherd (Age 78, Covelo, CA) was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene. Cal Trans assisted on scene as the roadway was reduced to one way traffic control for scene investigation and vehicle recovery. Shepherd was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
A preliminary investigation shows Shepherd was driving westbound on SR-162 and for an unknown reason, Shepherd’s vehicle travelled off the roadway and collided with two trees and the embankment. The CHP Garberville Area Office is investigating the cause of this crash.
The California Highway Patrol wants to remind motorists the importance of wearing their seatbelt while operating or riding in a motor vehicle.
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