News

The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has identified the two women killed in a horrific crash on U.S. 101 in Southern Humboldt on Friday.

The driver, Emely Selina Carreno-Arenas, who was 20, and her passenger, Michelle Segundo, 19, both of Eureka, were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the CHP, they were in a 2007 Honda Civic headed southbound at 11:44 a.m. April 13 when Carreno-Arenas lost control of the car for unknown reasons and crossed into the path of a van being driven northbound. Both were wearing seatbelts.


The driver of the van, 69-year-old Marsha Adams of Sedona, Arizona, suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment. She was also wearing a seatbelt. The crash shut down the highway for several hours.

Charmaine Lawson, the mother of slain Humboldt State University student David Josiah Lawson, expressed her condolences to the family and friends of the young women during a memorial for her son on Sunday, saying Carreno-Arenas and Segundo were friends of his who had decided they could not bear to be at the remembrance.

Humboldt State has confirmed that Carreno-Arenas was a student last spring and Segundo attended College of the Redwoods.

Press release from the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office:

The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has identified the two women killed in a motor vehicle collision April 13, 2018 on Highway 101 south of Salmon Creek Road. The driver of the 2007 Honda Civic has been identified as Emely Selina Carreno-Arenas, age 20 of Eureka. The passenger of that vehicle has been identified as Michelle Segundo, age 19 of Eureka. Both women were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision. Anyone with information regarding this collision should contact the California Highway Patrol Garberville Office at (707) 923-2155.

Humboldt State memo to the campus community:

Dear University Community:

We are sad to share news of the loss of former Humboldt State University student Emely Carreno Arenas and Michelle Segundo.

Emely was 20 and last attended HSU in Spring 2017. Michelle was a student at College of the Redwoods.
The two were in an accident Friday, April 13 on Highway 101 in southern Humboldt County.

We extend our condolences to their family and friends. Their deaths are a loss for our community, and our thoughts are with all of those who were close to them.

University staff have reached out to provide support to students, faculty, and staff who may have known them.

Any students in need of additional support during this time are urged to consider contacting the Dean of Students office at 707.826.3504 or in Siemens Hall 211, or Counseling and Psychological Services at 707.826.3236 or on the second floor of the Student Health Center. Staff or faculty seeking additional support may utilize the Employee Assistance Program at 707.443.7358.

This HSU memo has been update to reflect the correct number for Counseling and Psychological Service.