A tragic car accident in Napa County has led to the death of six people, with two others, including the driver, sustaining major injuries. Reports from Hoodline indicated that on Sunday evening, a minivan veered off the road and into a tree, resulting in the fatalities and the hospitalization of those injured.
The driver at the center of the incident, Norberto Celerino Villalva, 53, from Stockton, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) and homicide. The Napa County District Attorney's Office charged Celerino with six counts of murder, in addition to six felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, a felony count of DUI causing injury with priors, and several special allegations. The charges come following the vehicle crash along Pope Valley Road that has shaken the community. Celerino, who has multiple aliases, was also on probation at the time of the crash.
According to the Hoodline report, Celerino and another injured passenger were taken to regional hospitals for treatment. Court records revealed a history of DUI convictions for Celerino, adding to the gravity of the current charges against him. The Napa County Coroner's Office handles the identification of the deceased and will release their names once the next of kin have been notified.
The tragic crash has prompted the DA's office to prepare a rigorous case against Celerino, who was booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections. The Napa County District Attorney's Office mentioned, "Further details regarding this incident will not be released as DDA Susemihl prepares the People’s case against the defendant."
