The deceased was identified as a 36-year-old Willits man. His name was not released by the California Highway Patrol.
The driver of the pickup truck was identified as Stephen Britton, 66, a Covelo resident. There were three teenage passengers in Britton’s vehicle. Kaydon Britton, 18, Clayton Tuttle Jr., 16, and Lewis Mota, 17. None of four sustain injuries.
The following is a press release from the California Highway Patrol:
On July 13, 2019, at approximately 0520 hours, a pedestrian (name withheld pending family notification) was laying within the westbound traffic lane of SR-162, just east of the Hidden Oaks Casino, for unknown reasons. Stephen Britton was driving his 2002 Chevrolet, hauling a load of hay to Laytonville from Covelo. As he approached the Hidden Oaks Casino, Stephen noticed something in the roadway and attempted to slow his vehicle, however, he was unable. The Chevrolet, along with the trailer, rolled over the pedestrian laying in the roadway.
Stephen stopped at the casino parking lot and he and his passengers ran back to check on the pedestrian. Unfortunately, the pedestrian suffered fatal injuries from the collision. Alcohol intoxication may have played a part in the pedestrians actions.
The collision remains under investigation by the Garberville CHP Office.
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