DelCastillo’s vehicle entered wrong lanes on U.S. Highway 101
October 28, 2025 | Humboldt, CA
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A fatal head-on collision on U.S. Highway 101 in Humboldt County claimed the life of one passenger and left 23-year-old Ocean DelCastillo with major injuries Tuesday afternoon.
California Highway Patrol officials reported the crash involved a wrong-way driver and a pickup truck, sparking a fire that trapped the victim inside the vehicle.
Ocean DelCastillo, 23, of Eureka, was hurt in a head-on crash near Metropolitan Road on U.S. Highway 101 in Humboldt County.
What Happened in the Crash?
The incident unfolded when a northbound 2012 BMW 328, driven by Eureka resident Ocean DelCastillo, veered into the southbound lanes for reasons under investigation.
The BMW collided head-on with a southbound 2020 Ford F-350 pickup truck near Metropolitan Road around 2 p.m.
Key details include:
- Date: October 28, 2025
- Location: U.S. Highway 101 near Metropolitan Road, Humboldt County, California
- Vehicles: 2012 BMW 328, driven by Ocean DelCastillo, 23, of Eureka and 2020 Ford F-350, driven by a 40-year-old man from Fortuna
- Fatalities: One unidentified passenger in the BMW died at the scene after the vehicle caught fire
- Injuries: Ocean DelCastillo suffered major injuries and was hospitalized; injury status of the Fortuna driver remains unclear
The California Highway Patrol continues to examine factors that led to DelCastillo crossing into oncoming traffic.
Why Do Wrong-Way Crashes Occur?
Wrong-way driving on divided highways like U.S. 101 often stems from driver error, impairment or signage issues.
These collisions represent a small share of total accidents but a large portion of road fatalities nationwide.
Head-On Collision Statistics
Statistic |
Value |
Source |
|---|
Percentage of all crashes that are head-on |
2% |
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) |
Percentage of fatalities from head-on crashes |
10% |
NHTSA and IIHS |
Share of traffic deaths from roadway departure crashes |
51% |
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 2016-2018 data |
Expert Insights
National legal analysts Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, and Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, offer guidance on navigating the aftermath of serious motor vehicle accidents.
“Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and the family of the victim must ensure that evidence is reviewed efficiently,” said Bond.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond.
Key takeaways:
- Families should seek an independent review of crash evidence promptly to preserve details.
- Specialized teams can reconstruct accident sequences for accurate liability determination.
- Compensation may cover medical costs, lost income and emotional losses.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Formica.
“We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital.”
Additional points:
- Wrongful death claims can address losses like companionship and suffering.
- Legal support helps families focus on healing while experts handle proceedings.
- Prompt action safeguards rights in ongoing investigations.
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Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(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).