Jeff Tsarnas Arrested Today on Charges Stemming From November Hit and Run

According to the California Highway Patrol, Jeff Tsarnas of Myers Flat was arrested just after noon today for a hit and run collision that occurred on November 27. On that day, pedestrian was hit near Ferndale Bridge about 5:37 that evening, according to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page. Tsarnas’ daughter, Faith Tsarnas, was one of two teenagers killed when a car driven by Marci Kitchen, the mother of the other girl, hit them and also left the scene.

The vehicle that hit the woman this November reportedly fled towards Ferndale, according to the scanner.

Traffic was at a standstill in both directions for a time. The victim, 47-year-old Marie Kelley of Garberville, had injuries to her lower left leg, according to a later press release by the California Highway Patrol.

According to a CHP press release on December 7,

CHP officers recovered a broken driver side vehicle mirror at the location of the collision and this information was released through the media, in hopes of locating the vehicle, as well as possible witnesses to the collision.

The CHP received several tips from the public in regards to this investigation.  On 11-29-2018, 54 year old Jeffry Tsarnas of Myers Flat came in to the Humboldt Area CHP office and stated he had been the driver at the time of the collision.  Mr. Tsarnas also brought the involved vehicle to the CHP office and the broken mirror was matched to this vehicle.  A full statement was obtained from Mr. Tsarnas at this time.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this collision.

According to the CHP, Jeffry Tsarnas was placed under arrest at 12:12 p.m. for violation of California Vehicle Code section 20001(a).

Earlier Chapters:

• Woman Struck Near Fernbridge
• Father of Hit and Run Victim Involved in Hit and Run