A devastating car crash in Napa County claimed the lives of six individuals and left two injured when a minivan swerved off the road and struck a tree on Sunday night. The driver, responsible for the vehicle, has been apprehended on suspicion of DUI and homicide, according to reports from the Mercury News.
The California Highway Patrol and Napa County Sheriff's deputies responded to the tragic incident off Pope Valley Road north of Howell Mountain Road around 5:50 PM. The site was marked by sharp skid marks leading up to the collision, hinting at the sudden and drastic events. The driver, identified as Norberto Celerino Villalva, 53, of Stockton, and another passenger were both hospitalized with major injuries as per the CHP. Court records uncovered by ABC7 News reveal an extensive history of criminal behavior by Villalva, including multiple DUI convictions.
All six passengers in the minivan were pronounced dead at the scene, with the Napa County Coroner's Office set to release their names after notifying the families. The driver is slated to be booked into the Napa County jail without bail, pending his release from the hospital. Additionally, Villalva was involved in a domestic violence case and had been in custody last week, pleading guilty last Wednesday.
A spokesperson mentioned that the Napa County District Attorney's Office has obtained the case. At the same time, investigators continue reviewing the van's speed and whether its occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. Following the crash, Pope Valley Road was closed till around 2:20 AM yesterday, as authorities combed through the wreckage, per Mercury News.
