49-Year-Old Man Dead, 6-Year-Old With Major Injuries Following Crash Last Night That Closed the Samoa Bridge
The crash occurred on Tuluwat Island.[Crop of a photo by Justin Gregorio]
This is a press release from the CHP. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On 01/24/2022, at approximately 8:54 PM, Humboldt Area CHP received a report of a head-on crash on SR-255 near Startare Drive (near Woodley Island). Personnel from Eureka Police Department, Humboldt Bay Fire Department, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, City Ambulance of Eureka, California Department of Transportation, and California Highway Patrol responded to the scene.
Based on the preliminary investigation, CHP has determined that a 2000 Lexus was being driven southbound on SR-255 approaching a 2020 Jeep being driven northbound on SR-255. For reasons yet to be determined, both vehicles collided head-on, causing major injuries to all occupants of the involved vehicles, and came to rest blocking the roadway. Shortly after the initial collision, a 2008 Ford being driven southbound on SR-255, crashed into the stationary Lexus and Jeep, causing minor injuries to the driver of the Ford.
The driver of the Lexus, 49-year old Dwayne Faughn of Samoa, CA, succumbed to his injuries on scene and was pronounced deceased by emergency medical personnel. A juvenile passenger in the Lexus, whose identity is being withheld due to her age, suffered major injuries and was transported from the scene by emergency medical personnel. Both the driver and passenger of the Jeep were transported to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
The CHP Humboldt Area Office is continuing its investigation and asks anyone who witnessed the crash, or has any additional information related to the crash, to contact the California Highway Patrol at 707-822-5981.
The California Highway Patrol extends its condolences to the family of the deceased, and thanks all responding agencies, as well as the citizens who stopped to help, for their assistance in managing the scene.
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Heal fast, little one.
Condolences to the person that died family and friends. I pray the six-year- old girl will make a complete recovery from her injuries. Thank God she is alive without having her seatbelt on.
just curious, how do you know her seatbelt wasn’t on?
It’s in the chp report.
It says in the collision report both occupants of the Lexus did not use safety equipment (seatbelts, possibly booster seat).
The child also needs to be put into psychological therapy, being in a car crash with a fatality has got to be extremely traumatic.
hope she survives
Jay, it shows in the posted CHP report at the beginning of the article.
Whos to say the belt wasnt removed between the first and second crash ?
Do you really think a six-year-old girl would remove her seatbelt following a severe crash like that? Her mom was dead, and she had major injures. You are way off base on your comment.
Father died “Dwayne Faughn” 😞
Oops! That was my mistake, and I really apologize for it. I meant no harm.
Word, breaks my heart, only reason I posted on here was hoping to reconnect with him. My Ole runnin dog for sure. Once he broke on through, he rode it like the tidal wave it was. Dang, I’m destroyed by hearing this, hope the youngster survives and glad dad had family only a lost sailor could dream of. Thanks faughn for teaching me how to cook potatoes and making Mac n Cheese, my mom loved the former. Hope to see you in the promised land where “we’ll all be together for ever and ever…”
Thanks to those citizens who stopped and helped! You are the unofficial backbone of our community
Not to mention all the Official First Responders as well!!!!
Very unfortunate situation. The juvenile was the daughter of the deceased. Thanking whatever higher power that she survived. Thanks to everyone putting healing vibes out for her. He also left behind a son that was not with them in the vehicle. So unfortunate that the little ones have to continue on without their loving father. Just reading the story and comments, much thanks to the samaritains that stopped to help.
It’s all very sad and terrible. But the seat belt issue needs to be discussed and not swept under the rug or it never ends.
Im not condoning it. It goes to show how seat belts save lives. I know that I am alive because I was wearing a seat belt in a major accident in 2008. To think that my friend could be alive just hurts me even more. PTSD engaged to the max, sleep has not come easy this eve
Law enforcement has been telling people for years to please put your seatbelt on before driving. Also make sure your kids have theirs on also. They have a habit of taking them off. I am very happy the girl was not killed because her belt was not on. That was too close for comfort!
Anyone have more information?
lost one of the good ones.
Word 9000