Serial drunk driver charged in deaths of 6 people in California wine country

A 53-year-old man with three prior convictions for driving under the influence has been charged in connection with the deaths of six people over the weekend in Napa County, officials announced earlier this week.

Norberto “Beto” Celerino was reportedly intoxicated while behind the wheel of a van carrying seven farmworkers when he crashed into a tree along Pope Valley Road, according to a news release from the Napa County District Attorney’s Office.  

It’s unclear how fast the 53-year-old San Joaquin County resident was driving, but the impact of the crash killed six of the passengers and left Celerino and one other surviving occupant with severe injuries.  

Officers with the California Highway Patrol, as well as Napa County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. Celerino and the surviving passenger were rushed to the hospital where they continue to receive treatment for their injuries.  

Photos taken at the scene of the crash show the vehicle completely mangled, with the top of the van appearing to be sheared off.  

The 53-year-old was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and administratively booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections.  

All Mexican nationals and residents of Stockton, the six deceased passengers have been identified as: 

• 39-year-old Aaron Ruiz Ruiz
• 32-year-old Beymar Reynosa Rodriguez
• 39-year-old Demetrio Celerino Francisco
• 57-year-old Pedro Lopez Gomez
• 42-year-old Loreto Ricardo Hernandez
• 34-year-old Fernando Silverio

Celerino, who also goes by the names Norberto Celerino Villalva, Grabien Martines and Roberto Savaringo-Diabla, according to prosecutors, has previous DUI convictions from August 2020 and September 2024 in San Joaquin County.  

“Celerino also has a third DUI conviction on his record that was not included in today’s complaint as it is older than 10 years and cannot statutorily be used to enhance the current charges,” the DA’s office said.  

In addition to murder charges, the 53-year-old faces six felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and a felony count of DUI causing injury with two or more prior DUI convictions.  

Several special allegations are included in the complaint, including: 

• Inflicting great bodily injury with a deadly weapon, a motor vehicle
• Great bodily injury
• That the crimes involved violence, cruelty, viciousness and callousness
• That the crimes demonstrate an increasing level of seriousness compared to previous crimes
• That the defendant was on probation and had prior poor performance on probation

The DA’s office declined to provide additional details as prosecutors prepare their case against Celerino, the release noted.