While deputies were en route they were advised the three male suspects were attempting to leave the area in a dark colored Kia Rio. A Ferndale police officer spotted the vehicle near Fernbridge and stopped it. Deputies and CHP officers joined the Ferndale officer and detained the three men.
The officers saw the occupants had fresh injuries and showed signs of alcohol intoxication. The officers could also see open alcoholic containers in the vehicle. All three subjects, identified as Douglas Wayne Flowers, age 43 from Fortuna; Curtis Flowers, age 22 from Fortuna and Christopher James Hanly, age 23 from McKinleyville were detained. Douglas Flowers is the father of Curtis Flowers. Curtis was the driver of the vehicle. Medical assistance was requested to respond to the scene and treat the men for their injuries.
Deputies then contacted the witnesses and the victims. They were told by the witnesses and victims that Flowers and Hanly showed up at the party on the Ferndale river bar intoxicated. The suspects reportedly shouted “white pride” as they walked through the crowd. They were asked to calm down by party attendees.
Party attendees said Curtis Flowers started pushing people and challenging them to fight. An 18-year-old female attempted to leave the party in a Toyota pickup truck because of Curtis Flowers’ behavior. As she got into the truck Curtis Flowers walked up to the truck and swung the truck door open. In doing so the door struck another 18-year-old woman who was standing nearby.
When the woman who was struck by the door made a comment about it, Curtis Flowers reportedly punched her in the face with a closed fist several times.
The woman who had been in the truck was knocked unconscious while trying to assist the other woman. A 16-year-old male who attempted to help the women was punched in the eye by Curtis Flowers and then punched in the face by all three suspects.
When they arrived, deputies could see the 16-year-old’s eye was swollen almost shut. One the 18-year-old women suffered abroken jaw which required surgery at a local hospital. The other woman refused medical attention.
Curtis Flowers was transported by ambulance to Redwood Memorial Hospital to be treated for a cut on his neck and was admitted. He fled from the hospital on Feb. 17 around 5 p.m. Fortuna police checked the area for him and were unable to locate him.
Curtis Flowers is on active state parole for a conviction of assault with a deadly weapon. He is wanted for assault causing great bodily injury, driving under the influence, assault and battery, and violation of parole. A be-on-the-lookout was broadcast to local law enforcement.
Douglas Flowers and Hanly were both arrested and booked into the Humboldt County correctional facility. Douglas Flowers was booked for assault causing great bodily injury and public intoxication. His bail was set at $50,000. Hanly was booked for assault, probation violation and public intoxication and was released on his own recognizance.
Anyone with information for the sheriff’s office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 707-445-7251 or the sheriff’s office crime tip line at 707-268-2539.
The sheriff’s office will be increasing patrols in the Eel River area for the foreseeable future to help curtail parties and other criminal activity.
photo captions:
1. Douglas Wayne Flowers
2. Curtis Flowers
3. Christopher James Hanly
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