NAPA COUNTY, CA – A DUI crash in Napa County left six people dead and two others seriously injured Sunday evening in the community of Pope Valley, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The driver, identified as Norberto Celerino, 53, of Stockton, was arrested at the hospital on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
CHP reported that shortly before 6 p.m., a Toyota minivan carrying eight occupants veered off the roadway near 6198 Pope Valley Road and crashed into a tree.
Six people were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and one passenger survived but suffered major injuries and were airlifted to a nearby hospital. Authorities confirmed that no children were among the victims.
CHP confirmed Celerino’s arrest on suspicion of DUI. The names of the six victims have not yet been released.
Pope Valley Road was closed for several hours and reopened around 2 a.m. Monday. The crash site is located about 12 miles north of St. Helena, near Pope Valley Union Elementary School and Calla Lily Estate & Winery.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this fatal DUI crash in Napa County.
