[UPDATE 8:44 p.m.] Fatal Hit and Run Near Covelo; Suspect vehicle Sought
Authorities are investigating a reported fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a pedestrian tonight near Highway 162 and Poonkinney Road, south of Covelo in the Round Valley area.
The collision was first reported just before 8 p.m., when dispatchers received reports of a person lying in the roadway after being hit by a vehicle. Emergency crews from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Round Valley Tribal Police, Cal Fire, and the California Highway Patrol are on scene.
Radio traffic indicates that medics attempted life-saving measures, but the victim died at the scene. CHP officers confirmed the crash is being investigated as a fatal hit-and-run, and the driver remains at large as of 9:30 p.m.
Dispatchers issued a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) for a dark-colored pickup truck last seen traveling southbound on Highway 162 toward Willits. A witness also reported seeing a black Hyundai stopped near the scene, though investigators have not confirmed whether it was involved.
Both lanes of Highway 162 are currently blocked near Poonkinney Road as law enforcement and emergency responders continue their work. CHP units from the Garberville area are responding and may attempt to intercept the suspect vehicle on surrounding routes.
Anyone with information about the crash or the fleeing driver is urged to contact the California Highway Patrol Garberville Area Office at (707) 923-2155.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
UPDATE 8:44 p.m.: The CHP are searching for a black Toyota.
UPDATE: Pedestrian Killed in SR-162 Hit-and-Run, Driver Interviewed by CHP
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Poonkinney Road is several miles from downtown Covelo — 162 has no shoulders and where it intersects with Poonkinney is basically in the middle of nowhere — RIP to the deceased but it’s an unlikely and dangerous spot for a pedestrian, especially after dark — Covelo being Covelo there’s likely more to the story.
want more to the story. It was Bill Baker killed when the cab that Sutter Santa Rosa lined up to take him home not the middle of a dark road after heart surgery dropped him off.
CHP dispatch reporting victim was thrown from vehicle …
I’m sorry to say, that awful scenario had actually occurred to me, precisely because of what Truth Be Told said – that is a dark and hazardous stretch of road that few people would be walking on at that hour. Clearly Truth is right – there is more to the story.
Prayers for the victim and their loved ones, and I hope the perp is caught and brought to justice.
want more to the story. It was Bill Baker killed when the cab that Sutter Santa Rosa lined up to take him home not the middle of a dark road after heart surgery dropped him off.
What does that mean was the guy bill baker
Huh??
Heartbreaking. Someone’s someone.We all matter or are connected to someone. The societal sickness, not caring, not sharing, blind eyes, it is not me so who cares, walk on by stares. A whole lot more caring is needed. People can be amazing, these types of incidents far too common in Covelo. Super freaking sad, no compassion to be had. A pole FLOCK camera could be helpful on 162. They seem to pay for themselves in Ukiah.
The story is about a body on the road, not your dislike for Cal Fire.
You might locate the vehicle being sought in the river. Out of sight, out of mind.