Driver Ejected in Alleged DUI That Sent Two to the Hospital

This is a press release from the California Highway Patrol. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

On June 23, 2018, at approximately 0135 hours, a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, driven by 34 year old Karen Lynn Ritter of Rio Dell, CA, was traveling south on SR-254 north of Maple Hills Road. For reasons still under investigation, the Hyundai crossed into the northbound lane, left the roadway and collided with a dirt embankment. After colliding with the embankment, the Hyundai overturned several times and caused the driver to become ejected. The Hyundai came to rest within the northbound lane of SR-254.

The driver of the Hyundai sustained major injuries as a result of the collision and was not using a seatbelt at the time of the collision. The passenger of the Hyundai sustained moderate injuries as a result of the collision.

The California Highway Patrol, Miranda Volunteer Fire Department, Weott Cal-Fire, Redway Volunteer Fire Department and City Ambulance responded to the collision scene. This collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol Garberville Area.

Drug and alcohol impairment does appear to be a factor in this collision.

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Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
5 years ago

Stupidity rears it Fugly head once again!!! No seat belts & DUI are a great combo… if you want a lengthy stay in the hospital, not to mention a great deal of pain upon waking up from being unconscious!!! Sorry for the passenger but they should have at least, known the “Job was dangerous”!!! Riding with someone under the influence of ANY substance is NEVER a good idea!!!

Humboldt Lady
Guest
Humboldt Lady
5 years ago

My heart goes out to this family. Sending blessings…

Muddy Black Dodge
Guest
Muddy Black Dodge
5 years ago

Really? It is still mind blowing to me that people don’t wear set belts just out of habit. Especially after drinking then driving on the 254 at 1:30a.m. p.s.
I clearly remember my step dad drinking beers as we drove, then he would toss the can out the window into the bed of the truck, as I stood on the seat with both hands on the dash as we drove thought the Whitethorn valleys. Glad we didn’t die, or kill someone else…

Sequoia
Guest
Sequoia
5 years ago

Dude. Why you got a pic of Stevie on your post??

Sharpen your pencil
Guest
Sharpen your pencil
5 years ago
Reply to  Sequoia

Because Stevie is awesome! Why not?

So sorry
Guest
So sorry
5 years ago

Come on Karen! You know better! This family has endured so much lately. I’m very sad that you continue to make ignorant choices. Love to the family. Karen…get help please, and get better soon. Your girls need you.

SickOfYourNegativity
Guest
SickOfYourNegativity
5 years ago

Kind of surprised to see such a lack of compassion in the comments

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
5 years ago

Positively sick of drunk drivers. She can find compassion at an AA meeting.

Michelle Fish
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  I like stars

Alcohol was not a factor for christ sake

curlybill
Guest
curlybill
5 years ago
Reply to  Michelle Fish

Re read the last line.
“Drug and alcohol impairment does appear to be a factor in this collision.”

J Dubbs
Guest
J Dubbs
5 years ago
Reply to  Michelle Fish

So why was she arrested (per the chp report)?

Sharpen your pencil
Guest
Sharpen your pencil
5 years ago
Reply to  Michelle Fish

You seriously can’t be this ignorant….

Kearbear
Guest
Kearbear
5 years ago
Reply to  I like stars

I agree … AA saved me and million if other… Shes not ready to give to god.

laura cooskey
Guest
laura cooskey
5 years ago

If they had collided with another vehicle and injured or killed another human, you’d see even less compassion. If they had hit someone close to you, even you would be less inclined to sympathy. They were very lucky, is all.

Sharpen your pencil
Guest
Sharpen your pencil
5 years ago

Not too much compassion for a person that has ZERO compassion for everyone else! This shit is getting out of hand, DUI is a choice, it wasn’t handed to her, she took it! Are you saying people should show compassion to people facing premeditated murder? Because if you are being honest with yourself that is exactly what this could have been. Anytime you drink and drive you might as well be playing Russian rullet, eventually things are going to go BOOM!

Oh the sadness
Guest
Oh the sadness
5 years ago

Since impairment is not yet determined, I choose to hope she was avoiding a deer. This is a cause of many many wrecks on both the Avenue and 101, especially at night.

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
5 years ago
Reply to  Oh the sadness

“Drug and alcohol impairment does appear to be a factor in this collision.” As per the CHP report it appears likely DUI WAS a factor in this!!!!

Sharpen your pencil
Guest
Sharpen your pencil
5 years ago
Reply to  Oh the sadness

Good luck with all that hoping…..

CA
Guest
CA
5 years ago
Reply to  Oh the sadness

Last I heard wearing a seat belt was also the law. For very good reasons. Blaming deer is BS.

Michelle Fish
Guest
5 years ago

Are some of the people commenting on here blind?? Alcohol does not seem to be a factor!!!! My cousin can’t freaking drink anymore due to her last accident. Pay attention people and watch what you say

Kearbear
Guest
Kearbear
5 years ago
Reply to  Michelle Fish

[edit] .. She drinks all the time and self medicates. . you obviously are Not her family.. Not sure why you say shes your cousin… YOUR NOT FAMILY

Random thoughts
Guest
Random thoughts
5 years ago
Reply to  Michelle Fish

I’m sorry bud.. but Karen has been drinking … alot.!!! I’ve personally seen her hammered.

Zoltan
Guest
Zoltan
5 years ago
Reply to  Michelle Fish

The volosity blinds me.

Sharpen your pencil
Guest
Sharpen your pencil
5 years ago
Reply to  Michelle Fish

Drug and alcohol impairment does appear to be a factor in this collision.

Copied and pasted just for you…. PAY ATTENTION? Your two cents is broken, chewed on, and pulled from a dingoes crap!

Kearbear
Guest
Kearbear
5 years ago

Drinking and driving us not ok… I can say this from experience… Its a horrible sadness for this family they have lost another family member beginning of this month and yes Drinking and driving is bad the family knows this.. They (WE) Dont need to be reminded of it…they just need prayers that karen will live and choose to better herself instead of self medicating with alcohol and whatever else…
Please people choose your wirds wisely.. This family has been throught it

Life is Good
Guest
Life is Good
5 years ago

This will be unpopular however a vehicle collision where DUI is proven to be a factor is an assault with a deadly weapon and should be prosecuted as such. Regards.

Mobius Dancer
Guest
Mobius Dancer
5 years ago
Reply to  Life is Good

I agree – AND – experience has shown that, in California, at least, if the victim is riding a bicycle the accident might as well not have happened.

HEIDI MESSINA
Guest
HEIDI MESSINA
5 years ago

this totally not great news to me i like you all to know i havent had license scince shona wreaked my car off the buffs i am sorry to say karen you should know better than this i could do the what ifs on you but you are in hosptail it might sound kind mean i hATE DRUNK DRIVERS WITH PASSION

Mo
Guest
Mo
5 years ago

I’m guessing this is the same Karen posting on FB moms group last night about having a court order to see her kids and requesting help for the public to track down their dad. Super sad sounding all the way around. I hope for her kids sake she can get her life together.

Larry or Curley
Guest
Larry or Curley
5 years ago
Reply to  Mo

Mo, Just so you can have someone tell you, that group is supposed to be a safe place for mothers to discuss things in a safe and respectful manner related to children and motherhood. What you have done by posting on this blog about it is not safe or respectful.

guest
Guest
guest
5 years ago

Damn trimmers can’t hold their alcohol. That’s on them.

Guest
Guest
5 years ago

It sounds like Karen was upset yesterday about a situation involving visitation with her kids, she has always had issues but also very sweet person. I hope she recovers and can learn from this. Prayers to to her and the family .

Divide by Zero
Guest
Divide by Zero
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Sorry, but sweet people don’t endanger the lives of others while indulging themselves. She’s not a sweet person, she’s an inconsiderate ass.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Your comment stands in stark contrast to the haters. Everyone has a bad day sooner or later, but when alcohol enters the equation only bad things result. Biooze is the devil’s piss!

Divide by Zero
Guest
Divide by Zero
5 years ago

They’re out there, be ever alert for these idiots.

Doesn't matter
Guest
Doesn't matter
5 years ago

If it wasn’t alcohol it was drugs either way…why you out @ 130am if your not spun or drunk…

Conservative Stupidity
Guest
Conservative Stupidity
5 years ago
Reply to  Doesn't matter

Ever hear of the night shift?

Debra Carey
Guest
Debra Carey
5 years ago

Karen and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Who are we to judge? Karen has been going threw a lot lately. I’m praying for her and her passenger and their families. You can’t walk in on this chapter of her life and judge her.
Please, get well…

Anti troll league
Guest
Anti troll league
5 years ago
Reply to  Debra Carey

So you feel it was perfectly fine to be driving while intoxicated?

Shellcup74
Guest
Shellcup74
5 years ago
Reply to  Debra Carey

Sure we can judge her choice to drive while impaired, not wear her seat belt, wreck her car, injure her passenger, and put innoncent lives in danger. We most certainly can judge the facts in this article. The majority of us probably don’t know her nor would I like to, however we are allowed to be disgusted and angry at her choices…. which we are.

Brian Reamey
Guest
Brian Reamey
5 years ago

Karen Ritter is a Mother, a Daughter, a Sister, an Aunt, and a Friend. I wont ask you, society at large, to forgive her error in judgment. I will however ask that you please give a moment of consideration to those Family and Friends stressfully waiting with held breath for some update on her condition.

Thank you, even if it’s only for the time you took to read this plea.

Kearbear
Guest
Kearbear
5 years ago
Reply to  Brian Reamey

Well said brian💜💜 praying

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Brian Reamey

No. If her family has not already said most of this or worse to her already, then someone else needs to. This is the only opportunity she may have left.

Brian Reamey
Guest
Brian Reamey
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Thank you for taking the time to read my comment even if you didn’t get the point.

Sharpen your pencil
Guest
Sharpen your pencil
5 years ago
Reply to  Brian Reamey

The point? The point is she could have killed an innocent person! AN INNOCENT PERSON! Tired of junkies and drunks being treated as children, children can’t buy alcohol or get a license, only and adult, SO ACT LIKE ONE! Beyond tired of drunks killing or nearly killing people and getting a slap on the wrist, this needs to change!

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Brian Reamey

I got your point. I just think you are wrong. I’d rather one person reconsider their drinking habits because the public rejection of rationalizations than a thousand are made to feel better about the ugly results by soothing words.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Very well said.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Brian Reamey

I should have phrased it better. It’s not that I think you’re wrong to consider the feeling of those stressed by her accident. It’s that I think that it is not as important to do that as it is to make it clear that she violated the trust of the public, endangered everyone else and that she or the people around her can not expect for that to be ignored.

Zoltan
Guest
Zoltan
5 years ago
Reply to  Brian Reamey

Slow down when driving.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
5 years ago
Reply to  Zoltan

Slow down when living.

simone whipple
Guest
simone whipple
5 years ago
Reply to  Brian Reamey

Thanks for speaking up, Brian.
When callous comments are made about people on this site, I just wonder when the writer’s own humanity decided to disappear. Usually when someone shows up on Kym’s blog, something devastating just happened to them, and their whole family. Not only are cruel comments tossed into the blog; but often with little, or no facts are available about the incident.

When writing, I hope people realize that they have a moment to reflect, before posting. Their comments may add unnecessary pain, to an already traumatized family’s heart.

Sharpen your pencil
Guest
Sharpen your pencil
5 years ago
Reply to  simone whipple

I think people like you are what gives these sorts of people the ability to maintain their miserable existence. Until they hit bottom they won’t get better, pretending things are ok doesn’t make them so, as a community we have lost WAY too many loved ones due to horrible CHOICES like this, I think we all have a right to be fed up with this crap in its entirety.

simone whipple
Guest
simone whipple
5 years ago

Mr. SYP,
I am asking for compassion in words when posting. I am asking for consideration for family impacted by tragedy.

I worked in Intensive Care at Santa Monica Hospital, before moving to Humboldt. Most of our patients were unconscious. Their families however, were wide awake, and sorting through sudden, massive changes in their lives. Gratefully, this was all before ‘social media’. Random public comments from people who thought it would be fine, to add to the burdens of, as I said, a ‘traumatized heart’, were not an issue.

It is possible to be angry, and also speak with compassion.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  simone whipple

How can that be done without saying that she behaved so badly that nothing good can be said about it? Constantly saying nothing leaves only the feel good words as a take away?

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  simone whipple

On this site there have been many comments about “how you don’t know” about the problems the DUI driver has faced and therefore have no right to comment.

What this kind of thinking shows is that there is a lack of understanding that, while there may be sympathy for a person’s problems, none of those problems are even close to an adequate excuse for what they did. And pretending otherwise for the sake of those who have been hurt is condoning the behavior no matter the number of time it is said that it is not.

Another fishwife
Guest
Another fishwife
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Well said, Guest.

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
5 years ago
Reply to  Brian Reamey

Brian Reamey, her loved ones might want to not read internet comments about her if they don’t want the truth.

Alice Kimtu
Guest
Alice Kimtu
5 years ago

Poor girl was living in a pain body, the result of several serious accidents and poor life choices. The father of her girls worked for me many years ago and has been tortured by custody issues since those twins were born. I wish them all well, but more importantly, I wish them all peace!

Jnetta
Guest
Jnetta
5 years ago

Praying for Karen ❤️

In yo face
Guest
In yo face
5 years ago

Boozin and loosin. Again alcohol a factor in lives ruined. The true gateway drug. Nothing good ever comes from being boozey. Drinkin and stinkin, no thanks!

up north
Guest
up north
5 years ago

mothers and I imagine fathers too ,tend to go a bit crazy and do stupid shit when they are kept from their children.karen had a court order to see her babies, the father would not let her see them.not making excuses for getting behind the wheel when not sober but you try not going crazy when you are not able to see you children when the judge gives you the order to see them, if karen survives this I hope you know the pain she suffers ,she loves her children-and is an awesome person and would give anyone the shirt off her back.

Anon
Guest
Anon
5 years ago

My husband got a DUI, thankfully it happened after he was an EX! I saw that one coming. The truth is anyone who drinks everyday for days and weeks and years on end will inevitably suffer consequences from it. Crappy health, shitty personality changes, and legal troubles like a DUI those are the rewards that come from that sort of behavior. Hoo-boy! Glad I dodged that drama. There will always be a complicit (compassionate to a fault)) fan base who will step in to nurse the wounds, drive em around and help pay the price. Not me. Make bad choices if u like, there are these children to consider and I deserve a healthy life. No one enjoys hanging around a intoxicated shadow of a person they once knew and loved. Including your children. There is a REASON the father is primary caregiver. Not sure of the circumstances or truth behind the claim that he refused to allow visit , but getting arrested and hospitalized after crashing your rig at 130am (intoxicated?) is maybe not the good choice when dealing with that . Children need to be safe, they need stability and a healthy, unfucked up adult to care for them and raise them to be independent. A selfish, thoughtless drunk is not the good parent. I am absolutely sickened, upset, angry and bored with our booze-centric drugged up dead-beat culture . Get a grip people! And why are the punishments so weak? With minimal restrictions drunk drivers are allowed to get right back behind the wheel in short order. It’s pathetic and absolutely rude to those that DONT get behind the wheel buzzed. All this unecessary risk just for a steady booze industry stream of income. (And it’s not just Coors and Jack Daniels that pushes this “norm,” every damn event, fundraiser, and social gathering revolves around this dangerous and toxic “beverage.” ) Really, what good has come from everybody drinking so much on such a regular basis? Name one thing. I can name 100 problems, costs ,and tragedies caused by it. Our society is doomed if we continue in this manner.

north of there
Guest
north of there
5 years ago

the father in this case is NOT the judge and should have let the visit happen, he is to blame for this just a wee bit, mothers go crazy when they cant see their babies when the court has order her visitation rights,

No One Else
Guest
No One Else
5 years ago
Reply to  north of there

The driver had control of the vehicle and lost control of the vehicle. There is no one else responsible or blameworthy than the driver.

Denise LaCount
Guest
Denise LaCount
5 years ago

Where were these women drinking and who was serving them?