All six victims of Pope Valley Road crash identified as farmworkers, officials say
NAPA, CA, (September 07, 2025) - Authorities have identified two of the six men killed in a suspected drunken driving crash on September 7 in Napa County. The crash on Pope Valley Road, north of Howell Mountain Road, also left two people critically injured, including the DUI suspect.
Authorities reported that Loreto Ricardo Hernandez and Fernando Silverio were among six men killed in a suspected DUI crash on Sept. 7 in Napa County.
The California Highway Patrol reported that a Toyota Sienna XLE, carrying several passengers, ran off the roadway for unknown reasons and collided with a tree. All six victims, believed to be farmworkers, died at the scene. The driver and one other person were airlifted to local trauma centers. Two of the deceased were Loreto Ricardo Hernandez, 42, and Fernando Silverio, 34.
The driver has been arrested on suspicion of DUI causing injury and death, and the investigation is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Even if a driver thinks they don't feel drunk, drugs or alcohol can affect coordination. Impaired driving raises the risk of getting in an accident significantly that could kill or seriously hurt someone. In 2023, Washington saw 810 traffic fatalities—a nearly 50% increase from 2019. More than half of those deaths (416) involved drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
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 results of the investigation, the families of Loreto Ricardo Hernandez and Fernando Silverio may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for medical and funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when a person or entity engages in a wrongful or negligent act that leads to someone’s death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“When fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted behavior, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members typically have 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).