On the evening of Monday, September 23, Winston Luttrell unexpectedly left our World. The 56 year old semi-trailer trucker, was riding his Harley southbound on Highway 101 at Mouth of the Smith River Road when he slammed into a vehicle driven by Shakiyla Bryant of Smith River. She was attempting to merge into the northbound 101.
Winston Luttrell never had a chance to avoid this tragic event.
The driver Bryant is a twice- convicted (DUI) driving under the influence individual who was arrested at the scene by the California Highway Patrol after she blew a .18 blood/alcohol. The legal limit is .08.
Who was Winston Luttrell? His family shared a snapshot of a very special person.
Sister Charleen Luttrell shared her older brother Winston’s life. “I am unfortunately now the oldest ( sibling) when my brother was killed. He was a truck driver, a father of three and so many more called him Dad. He was rough and tough around the edges but he had a kind heart. He would help anyone in need. Our family is from Klamath Falls, and we were raised by a single mom. Winston helped to keep us in the meat. He was a wonderful hunter. Mom moved from town to town. We had a tough childhood but we all remained very close.
Winston loved the ocean and the Redwoods and hoped to make his permanent home in Crescent City because our mother loved the ocean and the Redwoods. Winston would live in the forest if he could.
Winston was also a recovering drug addict. Winston had a problem self-medicating when he was younger. He had his (commercial) CDL for over 15 years. Our family was like a tribe.”
The Luttrell tribe was affectionately called the Wolf pack tribe.
Sister Charlene said Winston evolved to become a very fine man. He sent money to his dad every month (Winston’s mom passed away in 2017). He took in children who didn’t have fathers in their lives.
His hobbies included the chipping of arrowheads, making jewelry, traveling, and making moonshine, though never consummed his concoctions. I’m so happy Winston sent me beaded feathers before he left. He had so many friends.
“Winston lived in Crescent City. He loved his life and his family and we loved him,” lamented broken-hearted Sharleen.
Winston Luttrell was truly unique.
Sharleen Luttrell muses, “My heart is broken, I can’t breath at times. I miss him so much.”
Winston Luttrell (1968-2024) was cremated. And his remain were sent to the Luttrell family home in Miles City, Montana.