Reckless-Driver Reports Preceded Major Broadway Crash That Seriously Injured One Woman

A major traffic collision on Broadway in Eureka this afternoon left one woman with major injuries after reports of a reckless driver moments before the crash.

According to Eureka Police Department Commander Leonard LaFrance, officers were dispatched at about 12:41 p.m., for reports of a reckless driver on Broadway, roughly 20 blocks north of where the crash later occurred near the former Kmart location in the 4200 block of Broadway.

Note that though Commander LaFrance calls the one vehicle a Denali, he later let us know that it was a GMC Sierra. [Video by Ryan Hutson]

Several callers reported that a vehicle matching the black GMC with out-of-state plates was swerving in and out of lanes. While officers were responding, police received reports of a collision at the Broadway location.

When officers arrived, they found three vehicles involved in the crash. Two vehicles sustained major damage, while a blue pickup truck reportedly suffered minor damage after being struck or sideswiped somewhere between the Bayshore Mall area and the crash scene, according to preliminary information from investigators.

LaFrance said the vehicle previously described as a Denali is actually a GMC Sierra truck with a “Black Widow” upgrade package. Police said the Sierra had been traveling southbound on Broadway, while a Hyundai Tucson was traveling northbound. For reasons still under investigation, the Sierra crossed into the northbound lane and collided with the Hyundai.

Both drivers, two adult women, had to be extricated by Humboldt Bay Fire and were transported to the hospital by ambulance. LaFrance said the Hyundai driver suffered major injuries, while the Sierra driver did not appear to have visible injuries when she was removed from the vehicle, though she was transported for evaluation.

Among the debris near the Sierra were cardboard boxes that appeared to contain cannabis-packaging supplies, including boxes labeled for 50mm child-resistant jar lids commonly used for retail flower containers. Several cannabis flower jars with labels appearing to read “Humboldt” were also visible at the scene. LaFrance confirmed they came from the Sierra.

LaFrance said there has been no arrest related to the crash and added there is “no indication that marijuana played a role” in the collision.

Investigators documented the crash scene and collected evidence this afternoon.

The crash shut down northbound U.S. 101 traffic through Broadway for a period Tuesday afternoon and caused significant backups in both directions, but, as of 4 p.m., the backed up traffic is largely flowing normally

The investigation remains ongoing.

UPDATE: Medical Emergency Suspected in Three-Vehicle Crash on Broadway

Earlier: Major Collision Shuts Down Northbound Broadway in Eureka, Traffic Backed Up in Both Directions