Transient Man Run Over in Balloon Track by EPD Officer

Press release provided by the Eureka Police Department:

On 04/21/15 at about 11:56 a.m., a Detective with the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit (POP) was driving through the Balloon Track while investigating complaints of trespassing and illegal camping on the property. The detective was accompanied by a representative of the property owner.

Preliminary reports indicate the detective unknowingly ran over the lower legs of a transient male who was trespassing on the fully fenced, private property and sleeping under a grass covered blanket. The detective immediately called for medical aid and the male was subsequently transported to the hospital by ambulance as a precaution. The male later left the hospital on foot after being evaluated for the apparent minor injuries he sustained.

At EPD’s request, an independent and objective investigation of this incident was conducted by the California Highway Patrol.

Press release provided by the CHP:

The afternoon of Tuesday, April 21, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Humboldt Area responded to a Eureka Police Department (EPD) police vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision that resulted in minor injuries to the pedestrian.

 

At approximately 12:00 p.m., a Eureka Police Officer driving an unmarked Crown Victoria was traveling at a speed of less than five miles per hour along a grassy access path within private property off Commercial Street and First Street in Eureka, commonly known as the Balloon Track.  A transient, later identified as 30 year old Shane Bowling, was lying under a blanket within tall grass and his legs partially extending into the access path in the path of the police vehicle.  The officer did not see Mr. Bowling’s legs and subsequently drove over his legs.  Mr. Bowling was transported by ground ambulance with minor injuries to St. Joseph Hospital, where he was treated and released.

 

This is an ongoing investigation by the California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area at the request of the Eureka Police Department.  The CHP Humboldt Area is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into this traffic collision.