Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

One person died and two others suffered major injuries in a multi-vehicle crash in Humboldt County Sunday night, the Times-Standard reported. The accident near Garberville happened at the intersection of Charlie Hurt Highway and California State Route 162, shortly after 10:30 p.m.

According to news reports, Jimmy Allen Jr., 25, of Willits, was driving a 1996 Hyundai Accent eastbound on Charlie Hurt Highway. At the same time, Stewart Fuzzell, 42, of Ukiah, was driving a 2006 Land Rover northbound on State Route 162.

Allen allegedly failed to stop at the intersection and his Hyundai was broadsided by Fuzzell's Land Rover. A passenger in the Hyundai, Donna Miller, 53, of Covelo, died in the crash. A second passenger in the Hyundai, Adam Azbill, 20, also of Covelo, suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Allen was also seriously injured. Fuzzell and a 32-year-old Florida man in his vehicle were not injured.

Cause of the January 2nd Crash

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. Investigators had not yet determined if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash. Based on the news report, it is unclear why the driver did not stop. Was he distracted? Was he drunk? Was he speeding and unable to stop? Hopefully the investigation by the CHP will reveal exactly what happened and why.

Passenger Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

If news accounts are accurate and Allen did indeed fail to stop and yield to the Land Rover, he may be responsible for causing this major injury accident, including the wrongful death of Miller and the serious injuries sustained by Azbill. The family members of both of the victims of this accident would be well-advised to speak with a northern California personal injury lawyer following this collision. An attorney can review the law enforcement report and advise the victims' families of their legal rights to compensation and best course of action to protect their rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. In the event the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, an attorney can also advise how the victims' own insurance policy may be utilized to recover compensation.