Pope Valley Road DUI Crash Kills Six, Suspect Arrested
NAPA, CA, (September 07, 2025) - A suspected drunk driver with a prior criminal history was involved in a crash Sunday night that killed six people and injured two others, the California Highway Patrol said.
Six people were killed Sunday night in a suspected DUI crash in Napa County, and authorities say a 53-year-old Stockton man has been arrested in connection with the incident.
The incident occurred on Pope Valley Road north of Howell Mountain Road. Preliminary reports indicate that a Toyota Sienna XLE carrying multiple passengers ran off the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a tree. Six passengers were killed, while the driver and another occupant were airlifted to local trauma centers with major injuries. The victims have not been identified.
The driver, 53-year-old Norberto Celerino Villalva of Stockton, was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing injury and death. Villalva had previously been arrested for a misdemeanor DUI in October and was taken into custody last week for a domestic violence case.
The CHP continues to investigate the crash.
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 the victims killed in the crash may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for 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 or entity commits a negligent or wrongful act that leads to someone’s death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“When fatalities occur due to unsafe, aggressive, or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members often have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit 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).