Monterey County, CA – On the evening of Friday, April 4, 2026, a suspected DUI single-vehicle collision resulted in the death of Edgar Jeremiah Banuelos-Gonzalez, 16, of Watsonville, and left three others injured, according to KGET.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 8:00 PM on Meridian Road east of Revilla Drive.
Authorities said Edgar Banuelos Sr., 37, of Castroville, was driving a Volkswagen sedan westbound at a high rate of speed when the vehicle veered off the road and struck a tree. The car was carrying three juvenile passengers, aged 16, 14, and 7, all from Castroville. Banuelos Sr. is the father of the 16-year-old who died, according to the boy’s mother.
Edgar Jeremiah Banuelos-Gonzalez was pronounced dead as a result of the crash. Banuelos Sr. sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The 14-year-old and 7-year-old passengers sustained moderate injuries and were transported to a San Jose hospital for treatment.
Banuelos Sr. was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, manslaughter, and child endangerment. Authorities said alcohol and speed are believed to have been contributing factors in the crash. The North Monterey County Unified School District, which Edgar attended, described the loss as deeply felt by the entire community and announced that additional mental health and crisis support services would be made available to students.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol. The investigation remains ongoing.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
Passenger Liability
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming. As a neutral third party, an experienced personal injury attorney can help navigate these emotional complexities.
California Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
