Injured driver in Napa Co. crash that killed 6 people charged with 6 counts of murder, DA says
3 of the 6 victims identified; all victims believed to be farmworkers, Napa Co. officials say
POPE VALLEY, Calif. (KGO) -- The driver suspected of driving under the influence and crashing into a tree killing six people in Napa County on Sunday has been charged with murder.
The 53-year-old man from Stockton was charged on Tuesday with six counts of murder of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and a felony count of DUI causing injury with two or more prior DUI convictions. according to Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley.
MORE: Driver in Napa County crash that killed 6 people charged with 3 prior DUIs, records show
The crash happened along Pope Valley Road north of Saint Helena, and injured two other people, including himself.
Virginia Johnson was one of the first to try and help those involved in the fatal accident that killed six people and left two others hurt, including the driver last Sunday.
"It's just, it's really horrific and I feel my heart goes out to their families," she said.
The crash happened on her property. CHP says the driver slammed into a tree.
Once Johnson realized that something was happening, she went to help.
"I stepped over to the car, the crashed car, and I could see the driver was really injured, he had blood all over his face and he was moaning," said Johnson.
The vehicle was twisted in such bad shape there wasn't much she could do other than reassure the driver that it was going to be okay. An off duty officer arrived on the scene and was able to help.
"He looked around and said, 'now don't go on the other side of the car -there is three people that are obviously dead,"' Johnson said.
We asked her if she had seen Loreto Ricardo Hernandez inside, whose daughter reached out to us looking for her dad. Johnson didn't recognize him.
"The only person I saw was the driver," Johnson said.
MORE: Missing father may be victim in deadly Napa County crash, family says
Tuesday evening, we learned Hernandez was one of the victims. Napa County officials confirming him and five others were farmworkers.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help with Hernandez's funeral expenses.
Lulia Celerino of East Palo Alto tells us that her brother, Demetrio Celerino, of Stockton died in the crash, too.
"He was a quiet hardworking man. He had no vices, he was a good father. He just came here to work to help his family get ahead in life. He did not deserve what happened to him. Because of an irresponsible person, he did not deserve how his life ended."
Celerino says she was told her uncle was driving the truck, adding: "I couldn't believe it. It's difficult."
The Napa County Coroner's Office also identifying Fernando Silverio, of Stockton, as one of the victims.
At the scene, ABC7's Luz Pena and our photographer, Brian, found an ID belonging to an inmate from the San Joaquin County sheriff with the driver's name and photo.
ABC7 obtained records from San Joaquin County District Attorney Office showing the suspect was previously convicted with three prior DUIs in 2010, 2020 and 2024.
San Joaquin County DA confirmed to ABC7 someone by that name was in custody last week on a domestic violence case.
He and a surviving passenger are in the hospital.
RELATED: 6 killed, 2 injured after car crashes into tree in Napa Co.; driver arrested for DUI, CHP says
We are not identifying the suspect until he's formally arraigned in court.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.
