STATE OF CALIFORNIA

DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL

An Internationally Accredited Agency
REPORT OF COLLISION - NEWS RELEASE
TYPE OF COLLISION DATE TIME INVESTIGATING OFFICER AREA

Fatal Hit & Run 09/20/2023 13:30 E. Schmitt #22466 Garberville

LOCATION WEATHER
Injury Property Damage US-101 JUST SOUTH OF ENTRANCE TO RICHARDSON GROVE DAYLIGHT, WARM, CLEAR, COND.
PERSONS INVOLVED PARTY SAFETY DIR. VEHICLE
AGE SEX EQUIP CITY OF RESIDENCE of INJURY/HOSPITAL *ARREST
NAME NO. USED YEAR & MAKE
TRAVEL
Driver Passenger Pedestrian M YES N MINOR MODERATE MAJOR FATAL YES
Motorcyclist Bicyclist F NO W E 2010 Toyota NO

EARL CASTILLO 1 53 LEGGETT S Tundra

Driver Passenger Pedestrian M YES N MINOR MODERATE MAJOR FATAL YES

Motorcyclist Bicyclist F NO W E NO
Pending Notification 2 67 CARMICHAEL S Pedestrian Humboldt County Coroner
Driver Passenger Pedestrian M YES N MINOR MODERATE MAJOR FATAL YES

Motorcyclist Bicyclist F NO W E NO
S
Driver Passenger Pedestrian M YES N MINOR MODERATE MAJOR FATAL YES

Motorcyclist Bicyclist F NO W E NO
S
Driver Passenger Pedestrian M YES N MINOR MODERATE MAJOR FATAL YES
Motorcyclist Bicyclist F NO W E NO
S
Driver Passenger Pedestrian M YES N MINOR MODERATE MAJOR FATAL YES

Motorcyclist Bicyclist F NO W E NO
S

* Information provided on this document is in accordance with For purposes of the CHP 288, fatal victim information
Government Code sections 6254(f) and 6254(f)(2). is releasable through the coroner.
SUMMARY
On 09/20/2023 at approximately 1330 hours, a pedestrian was walking from a trail on the west roadway edge of US-101, south of the
Richardson Grove State Park entrance. Based on witness statements, the pedestrian stopped just west of the west roadway edge on the dirt
shoulder awaiting a family member. At that time, a vehicle which was later identified as a 2010 Black Toyota Tundra, driven by Earl Castillo
of Leggett, was traveling southbound on US-101. Castillo allowed the Toyota to travel off the west roadway edge and crashed with the
pedestrian standing on the dirt shoulder. Castillo failed to stop at the crash scene, fleeing southbound on US-101. Shortly after the crash, CHP
personnel arrived on scene. CHP located vehicle parts identifying the involved vehicle as black Toyota pickup. This information was
broadcast via CHP Dispatch and a be on the lookout for the involved vehicle was requested. Multiple Cal-Trans employees who heard the
broadcast observed the Toyota matching the description and called it in to CHP dispatch. While traveling on US-101, two officers observed
the Toyota and attempted to make an enforcement stop. The Toyota failed to yield to the patrol vehicle's lights and sirens and traveled
northbound at a high rate of speed. The Toyota attempted to flee up a private driveway but due to a locked gate, was unable to continue.
Officers conducted a high risk stop and detained Castillo. Evidence from the scene and damage Castillo's Toyota were consistent with the
vehicle's involvement in the crash. Upon evaluation, Castillo was determined to be DUI and was placed under arrest for 23153(G)VC, 20001
VC, 192(C)(1) PC, 1203.2 PC, 2800.1 VC. Castillo was transported to the Humboldt County Jail and booked on the above charges. Due to
the nature of the crash and charges, a bail enhancement was requested and granted.

The California Highway Patrol Garberville Area is conducting followup and ask if anyone observed the actual crash or the Toyota fleeing the
scene to please call the office at 707-932-6100.

The Garberville Area CHP would like to thank citizens who stopped at the scene and rendered aid. The following agencies assisted with this
investigation: Cal-trans, Garberville Fire, Cal-Fire, City Ambulance, and State Parks.

SUBMITTED BY: DATE TIME CORONER'S OFFICE CASE NUMBER

J. Taylor - Garberville CHP 09/20/2023 13:30 2023-04372

CHP 288A (Rev. 4-13) OPI 013 Destroy Previous Editions Chp288A_0522.pdf