NAPA COUNTY, CA – The driver accused of causing a deadly minivan crash in unincorporated Napa County last month has a long criminal history, including multiple DUIs, drug arrests, and previous deportations, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The tragic crash killed six men and critically injured another, leaving the community in shock.
Deadly Crash Details
The crash occurred on the night of Sunday, September 7, when a Toyota Sienna minivan traveling southbound on Pope Valley Road, roughly 12 miles north of St. Helena, crashed into a tree. The minivan contained eight men, including the driver, 53-year-old Norberto Celerino of Stockton.
Authorities confirmed that six passengers were killed, and one was critically injured. Celerino survived the crash but did not have a valid driver’s license at the time. Investigators later revealed that he possessed three different driver’s licenses and used several aliases, including Beto Celerino Villalva, Grabien Martinez, and Roberto Savaringo-Diabla.
Charges Filed
Celerino has been charged with:
- Six counts of murder
- Six counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
ICE identified him as 49-year-old Beto Cerillo-Bialva, describing him as “a criminal alien from Mexico who first entered the United States in 1995.” Since then, authorities say he has been arrested multiple times for cocaine possession and DUIs and removed from the U.S. multiple times.
Previous Criminal Record
According to local records:
- DUI convictions in San Joaquin County in 2020 and 2024
- An additional DUI over 10 years ago
- Multiple arrests for drug-related offenses
ICE also criticized California’s sanctuary laws, stating that Cerillo-Bialva’s repeated reentry and disregard for U.S. law contributed to the tragedy.
Political Reactions
The case has drawn national attention, with some media outlets highlighting the suspect’s immigration status. Fox News referred to Cerillo-Bialva as a “previously deported blue state driver”, while officials in Governor Newsom’s office pushed back, attributing the failure to prevent the crash to federal oversight rather than state policies.
Diana Crofts-Pelayo, deputy director of communications for Governor Newsom, said:
“This individual re-entered the country several times under the federal government’s watch. Trump and Miller have little interest in public safety or protecting farmworkers.”
Observers note that this case may trigger political debate similar to the 2015 San Francisco shooting of Kate Steinle, which involved a previously deported undocumented individual.
Victims Identified
The six men killed in the crash, all from Stockton or nearby areas, have been identified as:
- Pedro Lopez Gomez, 57
- Fernando Silverio, 34
- Demetrio Celerino Francisco, 39
- Beymar Reynosa Rodriguez, 32
- Aaron Ruiz, 39
- Loreto Ricardo Hernandez, 42
The crash has left families devastated and the community demanding answers about public safety and law enforcement accountability.
Call to Action
This tragic incident raises questions about road safety, DUI prevention, and immigration enforcement. What measures do you think could prevent future tragedies like this? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
