Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Just after Sunrise on Saturday, May 31, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an accident in the 13,000 block of Highway 36 near Carlotta. The incident involved a large amount of debris falling from an active slide resulting in a tragic fatality.
Highway 36 has remained closed since the incident with no estimated time for reopening.
Cayman News reached out to Caltrans District 1 for comment.
Spokesperson Manny Machado responded via email, declining an interview, but provided the following statement, quote an employee of a contractor working on a Caltrans emergency project was killed during an active slide on Saturday morning along Route 36 east of Swimmer's Delight.
We extend our sincere condolences to the worker's family, friends and all who knew and worked with him. This tragic incident occurring shortly after our workers memorial service serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with our work on state highways.
The safety of the traveling public department employees and its contracting partners is always Caltrans top priority. Close quote KMAUD News also reached out with Humboldt's second district supervisor Michelle Bushnell, who represents the areas surrounding Highway 36.
[00:01:34] Speaker B: Such a really sad and unfortunate thing that happened. That slide has not been stable. There's been a lot of closures that have happened. You know, spotters there and right now I just had an update with Caltrans about an hour ago and they are trying to finish up the investigation and then try to assess whether they can get that road back open one lane traffic.
[00:02:00] Speaker A: This stretch of Highway 36 has been closed on and off for approximately two years due to growing concerns about its stability and safety.
KMOD News previously shared footage on her Instagram showing large boulders falling while traffic was temporarily stopped.
Caltrans workers narrowly avoided being struck as they worked to clear the roadway.
This week. The worst case scenario became reality when a worker was killed by falling debris during an active slide.
[00:02:33] Speaker B: I've been in contact with Caltrans since the incident happened and you know, they're, they're just so, you know, over, over distraught about this.
Things happen. Slides are risky and scary.
It was, you know, the contractors that were hired to do that that ultimately are, you know, kind of responsible for assessing what kind of condition that slide is in. You know, there was no rain, there was no, nothing going on previous to this incident happening.
I, I don't know what the, you know, the procedure will be going forward, but I know that, you know, it's definitely has been on a lot of people's minds. I go that route every day and you know, when I Go through there. I'm like, ah, hurry up. Get out of my way. Because you, it, you can see that, that, that that mountain is not stable. It's not sane foot where it's supposed to. And they're working a lot of trees up on the top. And I just am very heartbroken for his family and his children, his wife and his friends and community.
You know, this gentleman was a longtime community resident. You know, he lost his life in service. And it's just. It's just so heartbreaking.
[00:03:55] Speaker A: In May, Caltrans held a ceremony in Eureka to honor fallen highway workers, citing a troubling rise in work zone fatalities and serious injuries across California Central 2010.
[00:04:10] Speaker B: A week ago, we did the memorial for Caltrans in Eureka. I spoke at that event and they haven't lost Caltrans workers since 2017. And that was a workforce violence incident that happened in Rio del.
But, you know, there was a hundred. There's 196 Caltrans workers lost in the line of service since 1921.
And while this wasn't a Caltrans worker, it was doing Caltrans work. And it's just heartbreaking. And they take their jobs very seriously. They take safety very seriously. So does the contractor. And so, you know, I don't know what the outcome of the investigation is going to be, but I know that they are.
That's one reason the road is still closed, to do the investigation, but also to ascertain if that is, if it's even safe to be open.
[00:05:04] Speaker A: Following notification of next of kin. The deceased has been identified as Rodrigo Reina Sanchez, age 58, who was working for a local contractor at the time of the incident. Reyna Sanchez was a former sergeant with the Eureka Police Department and had previously been the supervising officer involved in the 2021 texting scandal that impacted public trust in the agency.
He later retired from epd.
In response, Supervisor Bushnell emphasized that regardless of past events, this was a tragic loss of life. She urged the public to approach the incident with respect and compassion for the family and loved ones affected.
[00:05:48] Speaker B: Ironic that he was a police officer and lost his life doing service as a construction worker still serving the public. And it's just a really heartbreaking situation. You know, try to be kind on social media. Whatever happened beforehand, this man lost his life doing service, keeping this road up open for people. And it's just so important that we have empathy for his family at this time.
[00:06:15] Speaker A: Cayman News also extends its condolences to the family of Rodrigo Reina Sanchez.
With the road closure, residents are now detouring through Eel Rock, Alder Point Road and Redwood House Road, routes that can add hours to their commutes. As of news time Monday at 6pm Highway 36 remains fully closed east of Swimmer's Delight between post markers 15.7 and 16.3.
There is no estimated time of reopening. For the latest updates, you can go online to quickmap dot dot cat.
You can also download the Caltrans Quick Map app or Follow Caltrans District 1 on social media.
