News

A 24-year-old Arcata man is behind bars after an alleged DUI accident left a pedestrian dead yesterday evening.

According to Arcata police, officers responded to a report of the crash around 7:15 p.m. and arrived at 14th and H streets to find a 55-year-old man dying in the street. The vehicle allegedly involved in the accident was parked on H Street, according to the release, and the driver was identified as 24-year-old Robert Willard Bergeson III.

Officers determined Bergeson was under the influence of alcohol, according to the press release, and arrested him on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury.

The victim’s name is behind withheld until officials can notify family of his death. The collision remains under investigation and APD asks anyone with information to contact the Arcata Police Department at 822-2428.

See the full APD press release copied below:

On September 4, 2016 at about 7:15 PM, the Arcata Police Department received a 9-1-1 telephone call regarding a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision at the intersection of 14th Street and H Street.
Upon APD’s arrival, a 55 year-old male pedestrian was located on H Street with injuries sustained as a result of being stuck by a vehicle. Life-saving efforts were attempted, but the male victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The motor vehicle involved in the collision with the pedestrian was located parked on H Street. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Robert Willard Bergeson III, 24 years old of Arcata. Bergeson was determined to be under the influence of alcoholic and was arrested.
The identity of the victim will be release by the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office once next of kin notifications have been made.
Bergeson was booked into the Humboldt County Jail for the following violations:
1 Penal Code 191.5(a) Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated
2 Vehicle Code 23153(a)(b) Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs Causing injury.
The traffic collision is under investigation and anyone that may have witnessed the collision or has information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Arcata Police Department at 822-2428.

Editor's note: This post was updated from a previous version that included an incorrect Google map of the location of the accident.