NAPA COUNTY, Calif. — Six people were tragically killed, and two others were injured in a suspected DUI crash Sunday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The incident occurred on Pope Valley Road in Napa County, leaving the community devastated.
What Happened
The CHP identified the driver and suspected DUI offender as 53-year-old Norberto Celerino from Stockton. Napa County jail records show that Celerino will be held without bail when he is discharged from the hospital.
Around 6 p.m., CHP officers responded to the area of 6198 Pope Valley Road, an unincorporated area of the county, where they discovered a Toyota minivan crashed into a tree. The minivan, which was carrying eight people, veered off the road before the deadly collision.
Reactions
Six individuals were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, while the driver and one passenger were airlifted to a nearby hospital with major injuries. Fortunately, CHP officials indicated that no children were involved in the crash. Celerino, who was arrested at the hospital, faces charges of murder and DUI. According to CHP Sergeant Andrew Barclay, officers formed the opinion that Celerino was under the influence as they spoke with him at the hospital, prompting a DUI investigation.
KTVU learned that Celerino has at least one prior DUI offense in San Joaquin County and does not have a valid driver’s license.
What’s Next
The CHP has not yet released the identities of the six victims who died in the crash. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.
This crash marks the second deadly DUI-related incident on this stretch of Pope Valley Road in recent months. On July 18, Aaron Kennedy, 35, was charged with the death of his 10-year-old son in a separate DUI crash on Chiles Pope Valley Road. Kennedy was reportedly driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol content at the time of the crash.
The community of Pope Valley, located about 12 miles north of St. Helena, has been shaken by these recent tragedies.
What’s Next
Pope Valley Road was reopened at 2 a.m. on Monday following the crash investigation. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant about impaired driving and continue to cooperate with law enforcement in their efforts to reduce such incidents.
This is a developing story. We will update this article as more information becomes available.
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