Suspected Drunk Driver Crashes Into House

Natural gas-fed explosion causes serious damage to Fortuna home

Humboldt Sentinel
12/23/08
By Sentinel Staff

FORTUNA -- An alleged incident of drunk driving on Sunday night led to an active natural gas leak and a major car crash into a residential home, as well as the arrest of the driver.

Christine Renee Manprin, 43, of Fortuna, was arrested at the scene of the crash of her 1991 Ford Crown Victoria LTD and charged with two separate violations of the Vehicle Code. According to yesterday’s release from the Fortuna Police Department, she had a blood alcohol content twice the legal limit for drivers.

When they arrived at the intersection of Kenwood Road and Blue Jay Court at approximately 7:09 p.m. that night, FPD officers found the “vehicle versus residence traffic collision” as well as the gas leak. Manprin had already by this time been pulled from the wreckage by a neighboring resident, according to FPD sergeant Eberhardt.

At FPD request, Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, City Ambulance and Pacific Gas and Electric personnel all responded to the scene. FVFD marshals stopped the natural gas leak, which they determined was a direct cause of the vehicle crash into the residence, which suffered major damage – although it was fortunate that the residents were in a different part of the house at the time.