Six Farmworkers from Stockton Killed in Pope Valley Road Crash
NAPA, CA, (September 07, 2025) - Six farmworkers from Stockton were killed Sunday evening in a suspected DUI crash on Pope Valley Road, north of Howell Mountain Road in Napa County. Two others were injured in the incident, authorities said.
Authorities reported that six Stockton farmworkers died Sunday evening when the van they were riding in crashed on Pope Valley Road.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that a Toyota Sienna XLE carrying multiple passengers ran off the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a tree around 6 p.m. The crash killed six people and seriously injured the driver and another passenger, both of whom were airlifted to local trauma centers.
Two of the victims have been identified as 39-year-old Demetrio Celerino Francisco and 57-year-old Pedro Lopez Gomez.
The suspected driver, a 53-year-old man from Stockton with a lengthy criminal history, faces six felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The CHP confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Drunk driving isn't just reckless—it's deadly, claiming 34 lives daily in the United States. All those deaths are preventable. In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).
An independent investigation will be required to learn other potential factors in the case, including the results of a test or tests to determine the blood-alcohol content levels of the driver.
Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney, was interviewed and provided her thoughts on incidents such as this one.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that drunk drivers are held accountable for their reckless actions,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the families of Demetrio Celerino Francisco and Pedro Lopez Gomez may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim. Such a claim can cover medical and funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when a person’s death results from the wrongful or negligent actions of another,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“In cases where vehicle fatalities occur due to unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted behavior, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members often have the right to file a civil claim against the responsible driver.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(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).