Drunk Driving Incident in California Kills Six, Reignites Sanctuary Policy Debate

Fatal Crash Claims Six Lives in Napa County

A tragic drunk driving incident in Napa County, California, on September 7, 2025, led to the deaths of six individuals and severely injured another. Authorities have charged Beto Cerillo-Bialva, identified as a 49-year-old Mexican national, with murder and other offenses in connection with the crash. The victims, all farmworkers, were identified as Pedro Lopez Gomez (57), Fernando Silverio (34), Demetrio Celerino Francisco (39), Beymar Reynosa Rodriguez (32), Aaron Ruiz (39), and Loreto Ricardo Hernandez (42).

Suspect's Criminal History and Charges

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Beto Cerillo-Bialva, who has also used the alias Norberto Celerino, has an extensive criminal record. He had been deported from the United States seven times since his initial illegal entry in 1995. His criminal history includes:

• Possession of cocaine
• Multiple DUIs (three prior to this incident, with the third occurring in 2024)
• Driving without a license
• Violating a court-ordered restraining order for domestic abuse

Following his third DUI arrest in 2024, ICE had lodged an arrest detainer with California authorities, requesting notification before his release. However, this request was reportedly ignored. Cerillo-Bialva now faces six counts of murder and six counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, in addition to driving under the influence charges.

Sanctuary Policies Under Scrutiny

The incident has intensified the debate surrounding California's sanctuary policies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin have directly attributed the tragedy to these policies, stating that they prevented local authorities from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. McLaughlin was quoted saying, 'This serial criminal killed six innocent souls. Governor Newsom has blood on his hands. This serial criminal should have never been released by California authorities.' She added, 'Sanctuary policies protect the WORST OF THE WORST criminal illegal aliens.'

In response, Governor Gavin Newsom's office, through Deputy Director of Communications Diana Crofts-Pelayo, has pushed back against the accusations. Crofts-Pelayo stated, 'It's clear that this is an attempt to distract from the truth,' and argued that the individual 'reentered the country several times under the federal government's watch.'