Napa, CA — Two young children, 10-year-old Damien Montanez and his 9-year-old sister Aaliyah Montanez, were tragically killed in a suspected DUI crash in Napa early Sunday morning. The fatal accident occurred just after 7 a.m. on March 16, 2025, when the vehicle they were in left the road and struck a tree.
According to the Napa County Coroner’s Office, the crash took place on the southbound State Highway 29 offramp to West Imola Avenue. The children were passengers in a car driven by their mother, Yesica Barajas, 31. Barajas, who suffered major injuries, was transported to a local hospital where she remains in stable condition.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed that Barajas is expected to face charges related to the crash once she is medically cleared. Authorities have not officially confirmed whether alcohol played a role in the crash, but CHP officials suspect DUI may have been a factor.
As the investigation continues, the Napa community is reeling from the loss of two young lives. Friends and family of the Montanez children have expressed their grief, remembering them as bright and loving individuals. Local residents have also expressed their shock and sorrow over the tragedy, with many reflecting on the profound impact of the incident on the community.
This devastating crash serves as a painful reminder of the dangers of impaired driving, and officials are urging the public to refrain from driving under the influence to prevent such tragedies in the future.