Fatal Crash on the Newton B. Drury Parkway

Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On the early afternoon of Monday, October 12, 2015, a 1992 Nissan pickup truck was traveling on Newton B Drury Parkway northbound, at the Ah-Pah trailhead, when it drove off the roadway and collided into a tree.

At approximately 12:00 p.m., CHP officers responded to a traffic collision on Newton B. Drury Parkway, at the Ah-Pah trailhead.  A 1992 Nissan pickup truck, driven by, an 89 year old man, of Klamath, for reasons to still to be determined, drove off of the roadway and collided with a tree.  It was determined the driver of the Nissan was not wearing his seatbelt.  As a result of this collision, the driver sustained fatal injuries.  The passenger, Ralph Rode, age 80, of Klamath, sustained major injuries and was transported by Mercy air operations to Rouge Regional Medical Center in Medford, OR, for injuries he sustained from this collision.  The CA State Parks closed the gates to Newton B. Parkway for approximately three hours while Officers investigated the traffic collision scene.  Alcohol or drugs are not suspected to be a factor in this collision.  The California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area is investigating this traffic collision.  The driver’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The California Highway Patrol would like to take this unfortunate opportunity to remind motorist that regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to reduce fatalities in motor vehicle collisions.