MENDOCINO COUNTY ? A 21-year-old passenger died about 4 a.m. Tuesday in the Alderpoint area in a crash that lead to the driver”s arrest on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run, California Highway Patrol reported.
Anthony Richards of Alderpoint was taken to Jerold Phelps Hospital where he died from major internal injuries, said Lt. Adam Jager of Garberville CHP.
Kenneth Bonnett, 23 of Alderpoint, was treated and released from Redwood Memorial Hospital and booked into Humboldt County Jail, Jager said.
Bonnett was driving west on Eel River access road when his 1989 Toyota pick-up ran off the north road edge, Jager said. The truck overturned a few times on the steep embankment, ejecting both passengers who weren”t wearing seat belts.
Bonnett left the crash on foot and CHP eventually found him at Redwood Memorial Hospital, Jager said.
Someone saw the truck and called 9-1-1, Jager said. CHP and fire responded.
Bonnett was driving under the influence of drugs, but law enforcement is waiting for toxicology results, Jager said.
