Ken Newell Succumbs To Injuries – January 10, 2012
Ken Newell tends to the Plaza during his days as a Public Works employee. KLH | Eye
Eye Staff Report
Former Public Works employee Kenneth Newell died Saturday evening from injuries sustained 11 days earlier when he was struck by a car Dec. 27 while working in a Eureka construction zone.
Newell, 68, suffered multiple injuries and had been removed from life support by his family four days previous.
Newell, a 33-year Public Works employee who left to start his own road striping business, was struck from behind while grinding the roadway by Eugene Palmer, 17, of Eureka.
The California Highway Patrol said Palmer’s windshield had fogged over when he drove through road cones and into the construction site.
The CHP said that if Newell died it would recommend that Palmer be charged with vehicular manslaughter.
Newell and three sisters were raised in Arcata. He graduated from Arcata High School in 1961 and served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968.
A celebration of Ken Newell’s life is planned from noon to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Blue Lake Grange, 110 Hatchery Rd. in Blue Lake.
