Three-vehicle hit-and-run on State Route 183 near Cooper Road leaves two dead
CASTROVILLE, CA, (September 11, 2025) - Two people were tragically killed Thursday in a three-vehicle hit-and-run accident in Castroville.
Aristeo Cruz Jimenez and Marcos Cruz Alia were killed in a crash on State Route 183 near Cooper Road involving a GMC SUV, a sedan, and a semi-truck.
The California Highway Patrol identified the victims as Aristeo Cruz Jimenez, of Port Hueneme, and Marcos Cruz Alia, of Salinas. The crash occurred on State Route 183 near Cooper Road at approximately 4:16 p.m.
Authorities said a sedan waiting to turn left was rear-ended by a GMC SUV and pushed into an oncoming northbound semi-truck, which then struck the sedan. The 19-year-old Salinas woman driving the GMC fled the scene but was later located.
FATAL HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, was interviewed and provided her thoughts on incidents such as this one.
“Separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and a national analyst for The Legal Advocate. “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.”
Added Bond, national analyst for The Legal Advocate, “Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide families during this difficult time, protecting their rights while ensuring that drivers who don't obey traffic laws are held accountable.”
California recorded 457 fatal hit-and-run incidents in 2023, the highest number of any state in the nation, according to California Traffic Safety. While the overall number of traffic fatalities decreased in California during the same year, hit-and-run accidents remain a significant issue, with a low solve rate. Only about one-fifth of serious hit-and-run cases are solved by law enforcement.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the families of Aristeo Cruz Jimenez and Marcos Cruz Alia may be entitled to pursue wrongful death claims for loss of companionship, funeral expenses, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
“It is crucial for families of victims to hire an attorney when pursuing a wrongful death claim, as this allows the attorney to negotiate with insurance companies on their behalf,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “Insurance companies often pressure families to accept quick settlements far below what the case is worth. An attorney will advocate vigorously to ensure families are treated with respect and receive fair compensation.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free, no-obligation consultation.
(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).
Tags: Latest News, Non Commercial, Motor Vehicle Accident, California, Fatal Crash, Hit And Run, Monterey, Salinas, Castroville, GMC, Sedan, Highway 183, Cooper Road