Union City man dies in fatal Thornton Avenue crash
September 25, 2025 | Newark, CA
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Authorities said two men were killed Thursday evening in a solo-vehicle crash in Newark.
Luis Alberto Deras, 31, of Union City, was a passenger in a car that struck a tree Thursday evening in Newark. Both Deras and the driver died in the crash.
The coroner identified the passenger as 31-year-old Luis Alberto Deras of Union City.
According to police, Deras was riding in a Toyota Prius driven by a 33-year-old Hayward man when the vehicle, traveling west on Thornton Avenue near Hickory Street, went off the road and struck a tree at about 5:28 p.m. Deras was ejected, and both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the fatal crash is under investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Several factors are to blame for the surge in traffic fatalities, but at the heart of it is driver behavior—including speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and distracted driving, especially due to cellphone use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that 8,055 lives were lost in motor vehicle collisions during the first quarter of 2025.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party,” said Bond, a national analyst for The Legal Advocate.
Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and the family of a victim must be ensured that evidence is reviewed in an efficient manner.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Luis Alberto Deras may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
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Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).