Six Farmworkers Killed in Napa County Van Crash Identified
Authorities have released the identities of six men who tragically lost their lives in a devastating van crash in Napa County on Sunday evening. The victims, all farmworkers from Stockton, were passengers in a Toyota Sienna minivan when it veered off Pope Valley Road and struck a tree, leaving only two survivors.
The Napa County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Fernando Silverio, 34; Loreto Ricardo Hernandez, 42; Araon Ruiz, 39; Beymar Reynosa Rodriguez, 32; Demetrio Celerino Francisco, 39; and Pedro Lopez Gomez, 57.
Photos and tributes are now surfacing as families grieve the sudden and preventable loss of loved ones. Among the victims was Loreto Ricardo Hernandez, remembered as a dedicated father of four children. His daughter shared a heartfelt message on a fundraising page, writing:
“He’s a father of four kids, Alexis, Jose, Jasmin, and Francisco, who is 6 years old and has autism. What hurts more is that this could’ve been avoided. My family and I are low-income; my dad worked in the fields, and my mom currently works in the fields as well. He’s my hero, now I need to be his at this moment.”
The crash has shaken the farmworking community, many of whom already face long hours, low wages, and dangerous conditions. Families of the victims now face the additional burdens of grief, funeral costs, and lost income.
The Napa County Coroner’s Office noted that it took several days to identify the victims and notify relatives, a process aided by the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco. Several of the men were originally from Mexico and had been working in California’s agricultural fields.
Tragically, investigators determined that the driver, Norberto Celerino, 53, of Stockton, was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Prosecutors revealed that he had a prior DUI conviction. On Tuesday, he was formally charged with six counts of murder.
Community members have expressed anger and sorrow that such a tragedy could have been avoided. For many, the case highlights the vulnerability of migrant and farm laborers, who often rely on shared transportation and have little recourse against unsafe conditions.
As friends, families, and neighbors mourn, GoFundMe pages have been launched to support the victims’ loved ones. The story of Hernandez’s children—particularly his youngest son with autism—has struck a chord with many across the state.
This crash stands as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by impaired driving, and the devastating ripple effects it leaves on families and communities. For Napa County’s agricultural heartland, the loss of six hardworking men has left an indelible scar.
