News

The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal collision in the southbound No. 2 lane of U.S. Highway 101  near Myers Flat on Saturday afternoon.

According to a CHP release, a Toyota 4Runner heading northbound just before 4 p.m., driven by Beatriz Diaz-Rodriguez, struck a Subaru Impreza driven by Zora Culps head-on.

"For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota crossed from the northbound lane over the solid double yellow divider lines into the southbound lane into the direct path of the Subaru."

Diaz-Rodriguez, 34, died from her injuries at the scene while Culps, 20, sustained major injuries and was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital for further medical care.

It's still unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision. The crash is still under investigation by the Garberville CHP.


Read the full press release below.

On, 11/19/2022, at approximately 1554 hours, a Toyota 4Runner, being driven by Beatriz Diaz-Rodriguez was traveling northbound on US-101 near mile post marker 32.30. A Subaru Impreza, being driven by Zora Culps was traveling southbound on US-101 north of mile post marker 32.30. For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota crossed from the northbound lane over the solid double yellow divider lines into the southbound lane into the direct path of the Subaru. The Subaru struck the Toyota head on, on the Toyota's passenger side and both vehicles came to rest blocking the southbound #2 lane of US-101.

As a result of the crash, the driver of the Toyota succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The driver of the Subaru sustained moderate to major injuries and was transported to Saint Josephs Hospital from the scene for medical care. US-101 remained open with one-way traffic control for approximately five hours for the investigation, clean-up and vehicle recovery. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were a factor in this crash.

The California Highway Patrol, Cal-Trans, Miranda Fire Department, Cal Fire, and the Humboldt County Sheriffs Department all responded to the scene. This collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol - Garberville Area.