UPDATE:

The man killed after being struck by several vehicles on U.S. Highway 101 near Humboldt Hill Tuesday has been identified as Eureka resident Aaron Wade Kangas. He was 56.

The CHP states that the investigation into the crash is “continuing.”

PREVIOUSLY:
A man was killed this morning on U.S. Highway 101 after being hit by a car in one of the northbound lanes just north of Humboldt Hill around 6:30 a.m.

His name is not being released pending notification of next of kin, a CHP release states.

According to the release, a 31-year-old Eureka man was traveling northbound when he looked over his shoulder to check for traffic before changing lanes then looked forward to see a man in the lane in front of him, whom he struck.

The driver pulled over onto the right shoulder and called 911. Several other vehicles also hit the victim, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash closed down the northbound highway for several hours, snarling traffic during the morning commute. Read earlier coverage here.

Read the release from the CHP:

On the morning of January 22, 2019, just before 630 AM, the California Highway Patrol received a call of a fatal collision involving a pedestrian on Northbound US-101 north of Humboldt Hill. Upon CHP arrival, it was determined that a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, being driven by 31 year old Vincent Giovannini of Eureka, was merging into northbound traffic from the Humboldt Hill on-ramp.

Mr. Giovannini looked over his left shoulder to check for traffic. When he looked back ahead, a pedestrian had suddenly appeared in the lane ahead of him. Mr. Giovannini was unable to avoid a collision and the front of his truck struck the pedestrian. Mr. Giovannini was able to stop on the right shoulder and call 911. Several additional vehicles, unaware of the collision that had just occurred, also struck the pedestrian who was now lying in the northbound lanes.

The identity of the pedestrian is being confirmed by the Humboldt County Coroner's Office and will be withheld pending notification of next of kin.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this collision.

The California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area is continuing its investigation into this collision and is asking anyone with additional information to contact the Humboldt Area CHP Office at 707-822-5981 or send an email to [email protected].