Fatal Atwater Car Accident Southern Pacific and Commerce Avenues
Suspected DUI Crash Ends with Double Fatality in Atwater
Atwater, California (June 2, 2025) — A 20-year-old Atwater woman and a 3-year-old child both died Sunday night in a two-vehicle crash involving a DUI suspect at Southern Pacific Avenue and Commerce Avenue.
The deadly collision occurred around 10:35 p.m. on June 1, 2025, according to a press release from CHP -Merced.
“A combination of speed, alcohol, and failure to stop at an intersection was a recipe for disaster,” said Attorney James Johnson. “My condolences extend to the victims’ families.”
Police responded to a 911 call regarding a crash at the intersection between the drivers of a pickup truck and a sedan. The 911 callers told authorities that the driver of the pickup truck had fled the scene on foot.
Woman and 3-Year-old Child Killed in Atwater Crash
California Highway Patrol officers arrived on scene and located a young Atwater woman who was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, a 3-year-old Atwater girl was critically injured and taken to Mercy Medical Center where she also died shortly after.
A search to locate the driver was conducted by the Atwater Police Department and California Highway Patrol units and eventually at 12:20 a.m. they located the suspect. The suspected driver, identified as Moises Haven Castillo,19, of Catheys Valley, California, was taken into custody near Southern Pacific Avenue and Herrod Avenue.
T-Bone, Hit-and-run Crash at Atwater Intersection
Investigators piecing together what happened determined that Castillo was driving a 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup truck. He was heading eastbound on Southern Pacific Avenue at a high rate of speed approaching a posted stop sign at Commerce Avenue.
At the same time, a 17-year-old driver from Atwater was driving westbound in a 2025 Honda Civic on Southern Pacific Avenue. That driver reportedly stopped at Commerce Avenue. However, the pickup truck driver allegedly failed to stop and crashed into the passenger side of the Honda as its driver turned left onto southbound Commerce Avenue.
The severe impact tore off both the front and rear passenger-side doors of the Honda. The 20-year-old female passenger was ejected from the rear of the vehicle.
2 Dead | 3 Injured in Crash Involving DUI Suspect
The 17-year-old driver and an 18-year-old right front passenger in the Honda survived with minor injuries.
The suspect was also treated for minor injuries at Mercy Medical Center, Merced before being arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, felony hit and run, and vehicular manslaughter.
Finally, witnesses to the collision or prior events leading up to the crash, should call Officer Abdiel Enriquez at (209) 356-6600.
Legal Questions? Know Your Rights: 1-800-208-3538
Johnson Attorneys Group is a personal injury law firm serving clients who are injured in California due to a negligent motorist. If you would like to contribute any information or have LEGAL QUESTIONS for a potential case, please call 1-(800) 208-3538 as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
