[UPDATE 8:48 a.m.: DUI Suspected, Says CHP] Major Injury Crash on 101 by Indianola Cutoff Early This Morning

White pickup after crash

The white pickup landed in the center divide after the crash. [Photo posted on Facebook by the Arcata Fire District]

101 northbound was completely shut down for roughly 75 minutes after a white Toyota Tacoma struck a road construction safety barrier vehicle just north of the Indianola cutoff north of Eureka about 2:26 a.m., according to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page mirrored on the Lost Coast Outpost.

The driver received major head injuries, according to a report over the scanner. The Arcata Fire District reports, “No construction workers were injured but the driver sustained major injuries.”

Smashed construction truck

Smashed road construction safety barrier vehicle.. [Photo posted on Facebook by the Arcata Fire District]

UPDATE 8:48 a.m.: UPDATE from the CHP

On 07-13-2020, at approximately 2:25 AM, the Humboldt Area CHP responded to a crash in the safety corridor involving a Caltrans Attenuator Truck. Upon CHP arrival, it was determined that 32 year old Shaun Radomski of Newbury Park, CA, was driving his 2015 Toyota Pickup northbound on US-101, north of the Indianola Cutoff. A Caltrans Attenuator truck, commonly used during highway work as a buffer between traffic and the workers, was stopped in the #2 (right) lane of northbound US-101, blocking the lane as workers were dismantling the construction zone closure equipment north of this location. The Caltrans truck had the crash attenuator down to the rear of the truck and a large illuminated left-facing arrow also activated. Additionally, there were several advisory signs prior to the crash scene notifying motorists of the work ahead.

Mr. Radomski drove the Toyota truck directly into the rear of the Caltrans truck, causing major damage to both vehicles. Mr. Radomski suffered major injuries as a result of this collision and was subsequently transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital for further evaluation and treatment of his injuries. The driver of the Caltrans vehicle was uninjured.

Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in this collision. Mr. Radomski was arrested for DUI and subsequently released to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Northbound traffic at the scene was diverted on to Indianola Cutoff for approximately 90 minutes.

The CHP Humboldt Area Office is continuing to investigate this collision and asks anyone who may have information to contact the Humboldt Area CHP Office at 707-822-5981 or send an email to [email protected].chp tc press release

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21 Comments
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Bushytails
Guest
Bushytails
3 years ago

Another drunk driver, given as it looks like they were arrested. This one should be very happy caltrans nicely uses collapsible bumpers instead of a heavy piece of steel…

Just me
Guest
Just me
3 years ago
Reply to  Bushytails

Bushytails… where does it say they were arrested?

Bushytails
Guest
Bushytails
3 years ago
Reply to  Just me

4:49 a.m.
[39] C16-010 PTY WAS RELEASED TO HOSPITAL FOR INJS PER 16-S5

Generally, from what I’ve seen on these reports, “released to hospital” means they were arrested and would be on their way to jail if they didn’t have injuries requiring hospital treatment.

Dave Kirby
Guest
Dave Kirby
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Kym… On my way to work in Gville Sunday morning I came upon an overturned pickup next to Maple Hills Rd. between Miranda bridge and Bear Butte Rd. It had come off the freeway. I stopped. Nobody around and no blood. Oregon plates and luckily a full roll bar. Very little damage. Any info on this?

FAT BASTARD
Guest
FAT BASTARD
3 years ago
Reply to  Just me

Read it again slowly…

Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in this collision. Mr. Radomski was arrested for DUI and subsequently released to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

James dean
Guest
James dean
3 years ago
Reply to  Bushytails

Do people think before posting on this site? Crap I didnt think!

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago

Why are you assuming they were arrested? Could’ve also been taxing or maybe swerving for a deer . And because of the extent of his head injuries he’s probably in a hospital right now .. not jail

Bushytails
Guest
Bushytails
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Because the CHP report says the driver was released to the hospital, implying the driver had been arrested.

dgale
Guest
dgale
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

“Mr. Radomski was arrested for DUI and subsequently released to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.”

Benbow101
Guest
Benbow101
3 years ago

Was this the same whote tacoma that was chased in Benbow earlier in the night?

Duh
Guest
Duh
3 years ago

Second serious crash at Indianola in less than a week.
Is it time to stop calling it the “safety” corridor yet?

punkybrewstersmind
Guest
punkybrewstersmind
3 years ago
Reply to  Duh

Drunk drivers dont care about ‘Safety’, ‘Duh’. Its not the roads fault. As always, it is the fault of the idiot who chooses to drink and drive.

dgale
Guest
dgale
3 years ago
Reply to  Duh

Not much you can do to stop an idiot from getting drunk and crashing into the back of a well lit and caution-signed CalTrans truck. Fortunately the CalTrans driver wasn’t injured.

Benbow101
Guest
Benbow101
3 years ago

Is this the same white tacoma that was chased up Red Rock in Benbow ?

Martin
Guest
3 years ago

That man and his passenger are very lucky to be alive. I did not realize the safety barrier would cause so much damage to the truck. A small car and they would have died. I hope the driver has learned a good lesson, and next time please use your seatbelt! Happy that no Caltrans workers were involved. People please pass these construction sites with caution and reduced speed.

Industrial Disease
Guest
Industrial Disease
3 years ago
Reply to  Martin

All the newer vehicles are designed to crumple as a way to absorb shock rather than transmit energy to human bodies. A small car would have done a good job of protecting passengers also.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago

It’s good that Caltrans has such vehicles to protect their workers. Hopefully all the work they are putting in will make that cutoff a much less dangerous place.

Autumn
Guest
Autumn
3 years ago

The accident report has a check in the box arrested.

TJay
Guest
TJay
3 years ago

Man I must be hard up for a chuckle these days, if I find the last name Radomski so funny. Probably the dyslexia talking since I read it as “Mr. Randomski” the first time.

Alf
Guest
Alf
3 years ago

Remember it is important to keep the bars and liquor stores open and the jails closed.