Alberto Garcia dies in Watsonville DUI accident, CHP says

clock Created with Sketch Beta. May 05, 2026
Alberto Garcia dies in Watsonville DUI accident, CHP says

WATSONVILLE, CA, (May 02, 2026) – Two Watsonville residents were killed and several others injured Saturday night in a three-vehicle crash near Moss Landing, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officials said the collision occurred at approximately 10:18 p.m. along Highway 1 north of Springfield Road. Investigators reported that a GMC pickup crossed the centerline, sideswiped a northbound Ford pickup, and then collided head-on with a Honda sedan.

One of the victims was identified as 17-year-old Alberto Martinez Garcia, who was inside the Honda and later died at the hospital. A 33-year-old man in the same vehicle also suffered fatal injuries. A third passenger from the Honda remains hospitalized in critical condition.

A 58-year-old woman in the Ford pickup was transported for medical treatment, while three other occupants of that vehicle were not injured.

The driver of the GMC, a 51-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and was arrested after officers observed signs of alcohol impairment. He faces charges including DUI causing injury.

The investigation remains ongoing.


DUI ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

This tragic crash highlights how entirely preventable impaired driving incidents can be. Drivers under the influence remain a serious danger to everyone on the roadway and can cause irreversible harm.

“Drunk and drug-impaired drivers can face criminal prosecution when their actions result in injury or death,” explained Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.

She added, “In addition to criminal charges, the victim’s family may also have the right to pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party.”

According to the National Safety Council, about 10 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes involve drivers impaired by alcohol, drugs, or medications, making it one of the leading causes of roadway deaths in the United States.


WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM

Pending the investigation, the family of Alberto Garcia may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim. Families of victims in fatal accidents may seek damages for loss of companionship, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from such tragedies.

“The grief and emotional burden after losing a loved one in a crash can be overwhelming,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.

“We understand the difficulties families endure, and protecting their rights is essential. A wrongful death attorney will follow the official investigation and help ensure the family’s legal rights and best interests are fully protected,” Formica added.


(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)


If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

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