Driver arrested for striking vehicles, house

APD allege James Russell was under the influence during accident

Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/20/09

Arcata

Arcata police arrested a driver this afternoon after he was found to have been involved in four separate collisions at the north end of J Street.

James Russell, 47 of Arcata, was detained by the APD while attempting to leave the scene of the collisions at the 1700 block of J Street, with Arcata officers assisted by a University Police Department unit. Officers determined Russell was under the influence of alcohol and possibly drugs, and he was arrested at that time for driving while intoxicated.

What was reported to dispatch as a single collision turned out to be several; Russell was driving his 1997 Jeep Cherokee south on J Street when he allegedly struck a parked vehicle, drove through a yard, and struck a house, causing significant structural damage. APD sergeant Dave Brown alleged in a release that Russell drove from that point back to the street, striking two more parked vehicles before his own jeep was disabled to the point where it could no longer be driven.

No injuries were reported as a result of the collisions, and Russell was booked into county jail without further incident.