Man charged in Fort Bragg motel room crash death

An ex-convict suspected of ramming his truck into the side of a Fort Bragg motel room, killing a woman inside and injuring a baby, was arraigned Wednesday on felony charges.

Michael Bradford Bitney, 56, of Fort Mohave, Ariz., is accused of crashing through the wall of the Beachcomber Motel and Spa on Friday night, killing Karen Zuehlsdorf, 45, of Lafayette and injuring her 7-month-old nephew.

Bitney fled north on Highway 1 but was arrested later Friday near the town of Inglenook after witnesses described his white GMC pickup to police, said Mike Geniella, a spokesman for the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office.

An investigation was ongoing to find out why Bitney, who was staying in the room next door, crashed into the motel, Geniella said.

Police do not believe Bitney knew the woman, he said.

“The vehicle plowed right through the wall and shoved all the room’s furnishings to the other side,” Geniella said. “Then he backed out and took off.”

Bitney, who was being held at the Ukiah jail, was arraigned in his cell via closed-circuit TV out of concerns for his mental health, Geniella said.

He is charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run. He pleaded not guilty, and his bail has been set at $155,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5.

Bitney served four years in prison for a prior robbery conviction, Geniella said.

The crash happened at about 6 p.m. Zuehlsdorf was inside room No. 142 with the baby, identified as Cole Kemp. She was apparently in town with other family members who were riding the Skunk Train at the time, Geniella said.

Bitney, who was staying in room No. 141, is believed to have been driving through the motel parking lot, not far from Highway 1, when for unknown reasons his truck hopped a small curb and smashed through the front of the room, forcing two queen beds and other furniture to one side, Geniella said.

“His tire markings were on the curb,” Geniella said.

Zuehlsdorf was found on the floor in the debris. Witnesses and emergency responders tried to revive her, but she died at the scene, Geniella said.

The baby was flown to Children’s Hospital Oakland, police said in a written statement. His injuries were unknown.

A police spokesman did not return calls Wednesday.

Bitney was arrested by a state park ranger after witnesses reported his Oregon license plate number. He was carrying $8,500 in cash, Geniella said.

So far, there is nothing to indicate he had prior contact with the woman, Geniella said.

“It appears random,” Geniella said.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.