Napa County, CA – Authorities have released the names of the six men killed in a single-vehicle accident on the evening of Sunday, September 7, 2025, according to ABC10, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 5:49 PM along the 6100 block of Pope Valley Road.
Authorities said a Toyota Sienna minivan carrying eight men from Stockton left the roadway and struck a tree with significant force. Six passengers died from injuries sustained in the collision.
The Napa County Coroner identified the victims as:
- Araon Ruiz Ruiz, 39
- Beymar Reynosa Rodriguez, 32
- Demetrio Celerino Francisco, 39
- Pedro Lopez Gomez, 57
- Loreto Ricardo Hernandez, 42
- Fernando Silverio, 34
All of the men lived in Stockton.
First responders reported that two occupants survived but required immediate medical attention. Emergency crews extricated the injured from the wreckage, and helicopters transported them to regional trauma centers for advanced care.
Authorities identified one of the injured as the driver, Norberto Celerino Villalva, 53, of Stockton. A second survivor has not yet been publicly named. Officials confirmed both men sustained serious injuries but did not release updates on their current conditions.
The Napa County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Mexican Consulate of San Francisco, confirmed the identities of the six deceased men. Officials believe the group traveled from Stockton to Napa to work as farm laborers picking grapes during the night.
Investigators said Villalva showed signs of impairment and now faces six counts of murder and six counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Court documents reveal he has at least two prior DUI convictions in San Joaquin County between 2020 and 2024. Authorities also confirmed that Villalva faces active warrants in multiple counties.
Authorities stated that the collision represents one of the deadliest single-vehicle crashes in Napa County in recent years. They urged drivers to avoid impaired driving and emphasized the devastating toll it brings to families and communities.
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.”
Wrongful Death Claims
Even if a fatal accident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, families who lose a loved one can still file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide support to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income.
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.
