Man hit by SUV while picking tomatoes outside his home on Carolyn Weston Boulevard
STOCKTON, CA, (July 12, 2025) - A 52-year-old Stockton man was tragically killed Saturday evening after being struck by a suspected impaired driver in Stockton.
Javier Algandar Arce, 52, tragically lost his life Saturday evening in San Joaquin County after being struck by a vehicle in a suspected drunken driving accident, according to authorities.
The victim, identified by the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office as Javier Algandar Arce, was outside his home near Carrolton and Mariposa roads, picking tomatoes, when the crash occurred around 7 p.m.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling westbound on Mariposa Road when it veered off the roadway and struck Arce. The driver, believed to be under the influence, then fled on foot into a nearby cornfield but was later apprehended by officers.
Arce was transported to a hospital, where he sadly succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Alcohol-impaired driving remains a major public safety issue, often resulting in tragic crashes. Despite the known risks, some individuals continue to drive under the influence, endangering themselves and others. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk-driving crashes claimed an average of 11,000 lives annually between 2014 and 2023.
Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney, weighed in on such cases.
“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. “Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a grieving family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that a drunk driver is held accountable for their reckless actions.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family of Javier Algandar Arce may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for medical and funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, a hit-and-run, or driving under the influence, family members are often left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist,” Bond added.
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).