Deadly DUI Crash in Napa County Claims Six Lives – Driver Identified as Norberto Celerino of Stockton
In a devastating tragedy that has left California reeling, Norberto Celerino, 53, of Stockton, has been identified as the driver involved in a horrific one-vehicle crash on Pope Valley Road in Napa County that claimed the lives of six people and left two others injured. The crash occurred on Sunday evening at approximately 5:50 p.m., when the van veered off the road and slammed into a tree, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Authorities reported that eight people were inside the van at the time of the crash. Six were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others — including Celerino himself — were rushed to area hospitals. Celerino was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, a development that has only deepened the heartbreak surrounding this catastrophic incident.
The identities of the six deceased individuals have not yet been released, and the Napa County Coroner’s Office is currently working to notify families. The CHP has stated that the investigation is ongoing, and it remains unclear what the relationship was between the driver and the passengers.
Unimaginable Loss: Community Left Grieving as Victims Await Identification
While official names have yet to be confirmed, the sheer scale of this tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Napa Valley and Stockton communities. To lose six lives in a single accident—with DUI suspected as the cause—has triggered public outcry, sorrow, and renewed calls for responsibility on the road.
Residents near the crash site described a scene of unimaginable horror, with first responders arriving to find a van crushed against a tree and bodies scattered. Authorities have not shared whether seatbelts were used or what contributed to the vehicle veering off Pope Valley Road, a rural, winding area known for limited visibility and sharp curves.
Local officials have called the incident one of the deadliest single-vehicle crashes in recent Napa County history. Grief counselors and support services are being offered to the first responders who witnessed the carnage, as well as to the families of the victims, once identified.
Accountability and Grief: As Investigation Continues, Families Await Justice
As the CHP and other agencies work through the details of this heartbreaking event, the spotlight has turned toward the suspected DUI charges against Norberto Celerino. While he remains hospitalized and under investigation, legal experts anticipate a possible cascade of vehicular manslaughter or homicide charges, depending on toxicology results and additional findings.
“This level of loss, in a single crash, is almost incomprehensible,” said CHP Sgt. Andrew Barclay. “Our priority is to deliver answers to the families and hold any responsible parties fully accountable.”
In the meantime, families across Napa County and Stockton are facing an unthinkable reality — the sudden and violent loss of loved ones who may have simply been passengers on a day that turned deadly.
As the community braces for the release of the victims’ names, a GoFundMe campaign is anticipated to help families with funeral costs and other unexpected expenses. Vigils and memorials are expected to follow in the coming days.
Rest in peace to the six souls lost far too soon.
May their memories be a blessing, and may justice and healing come for all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy.
