Humboldt County Second District Supervisor Roger Rodoni died in a car crash Thursday evening while on his way to a fundraiser for his bid for re-election.

The crash occurred at about 4:45 p.m., approximately two miles north of Rio Dell on U.S. Highway 101. Rodoni, who was serving his third four-year term on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, was declared dead at the scene, officials said.

California Highway Patrol Sgt. Brett Fabbri said Thursday evening that details regarding the crash are sketchy, but it appeared that a gold Buick in the southbound lane came into the northbound lane for unknown reasons and hit Rodoni’s Ford truck.

Rodoni’s truck went down a small embankment. He was alone in his vehicle.

Details about the identity of the driver of the Buick, and whether others were in the vehicle, were unknown at press time. Fabbri said “the other party” was taken to Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna.

“It will take us a little while to get this all figured out,” Fabbri said.

A short stretch of northbound Highway 101 was closed following the crash.

Just a few miles north in Fortuna, the first fundraiser for Rodoni’s re-election bid was canceled at the Veterans Memorial Hall. A few people were having conversations in the parking lot as others closed up shop.

Signs sat outside the doors, informing people of the news. “We regret to inform you that Roger was involved in a fatal car accident this afternoon and did not survive. We are therefore canceling this event.”

Inside, a long-term Rodoni supporter expressed her sorrow and admiration for the man.

“He was a shining light in the complexities of the political scene — a breath of fresh air,” said Lauren Shuman, who traveled from Bridgeville with her husband to attend the fundraiser. “He was also a special friend — this wasn’t just your everyday guy running for office, and I will miss him forever.”

Shuman said Rodoni believed in personal freedoms, liberty and the power of the individual. She described his death as a “huge political loss to this county.”

Rodoni, a cattle rancher, artist and Western Americana buff, lived with his wife Johanna on their ranch home in Stafford.

He was active in the Southern Humboldt community and was a member of numerous civic and agricultural organizations, including Rotary International, Humboldt-Del Norte Cattlemen’s Association, California Cattlemen’s Association and The Buckeye Conservancy.

Rodoni was first elected to the Board of Supervisors as the Second District representative in 1997, and was re-elected for two additional terms.

After kicking off his re-election bid for a fourth term earlier this year, Rodoni was defending his seat against challengers Estelle Fennell and Clif Clendenen, whose campaign officials both announced Thursday that they were suspending all election activities until further notice.

“My thoughts, deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Roger Rodoni’s family in their time of loss,” Clendenen stated.

Fennell also commented: “On behalf of myself and my entire campaign, I extend our deepest sympathies to Johanna and all of Roger’s family.

Nathan Rushton contributed to this story.

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