News

An 8-year-old girl was flown out the area for treatment after a head-on crash around 6: 45 p.m. yesterday on Sutter Road in McKinleyville and a 29-year-old Santa Barbara man was arrested on suspicion of DUI, according to the CHP.

A new release states William Cromwell was driving westbound while approaching Weirup Lane when he “allowed his truck to travel into the eastbound lane of Sutter Rd. and collided head-on with the Jeep” in which the girl was a passenger.

“It was initially believed that an 8 year old female passenger in the Jeep suffered minor injuries and medical treatment was declined at the scene,” the CHP release states. “However, the passenger was later taken to the hospital where it was determined she suffered a serious internal injury as a result of the collision and was transported out of the area for further treatment.”

Read the full CHP release below:

On 11/15/2020, at approximately 645 PM, the Humboldt Area CHP received a report of a head on collision on Sutter Rd. at Weirup Ln. in McKinleyville.

A preliminary investigation by CHP determined that a 2000 Nissan Frontier, being driven by 29 year old William Cromwell of Santa Barbara, CA, was traveling westbound on Sutter Rd., approaching Weirup Ln.

A 2007 Jeep Wrangler, being driven by 29 year old Samantha Blount of McKinleyville, was traveling eastbound on Sutter Rd., approaching Weirup Ln. Mr. Cromwell allowed his truck to travel into the eastbound lane of Sutter Rd. and collided head-on with the Jeep.

It was initially believed that an 8 year old female passenger in the Jeep suffered minor injuries and medical treatment was declined at the scene. However, the passenger was later taken to the hospital where it was determined she suffered a serious internal injury as a result of the collision and was transported out of the area for further treatment.

Impairment is considered a factor in this collision. Mr. Cromwell was arrested for Felony DUI and, after being medically cleared at the hospital, he was booked into the Humboldt County Jail. The CHP Humboldt Area Office is continuing to investigate this collision and asks anyone who may have information to contact the office at 707-822-5981 or send an email to [email protected].