NAPA COUNTY, CA — A beloved nurse and humanitarian tragically lost his life Tuesday in a crash on Silverado Trail, a road known for its picturesque views but increasingly dangerous conditions for cyclists.
The incident occurred just before noon, south of Yountville Cross Road, when two cyclists were traveling south on the narrow, two-lane highway. As the cyclists navigated the road, a county-operated Ford F-350 pickup truck, traveling at approximately 55 mph, attempted to pass them. The lead cyclist, identified later as Cezar Falconitin, veered left to avoid debris in the road and clipped the truck’s right-side mirror, California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesperson Marc Renspurger said.
The driver of the truck immediately pulled over and called 911, while a passenger in the vehicle attempted to render aid. Paramedics arrived on the scene, but Falconitin, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead.
Authorities later identified Falconitin, 47, of Vallejo, as the victim. A registered nurse and Tahitian dancer, Falconitin was widely known for his compassion and sense of adventure. In 2005, while working as an emergency room nurse at Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo, he volunteered in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina, helping to set up mobile medical sites and provide critical care to disaster victims.
His death has left a profound impact on those who knew him. “He left a lot of people behind who are really heartbroken right now,” said Destinee Foy, director of client success at Pike Fitness of Vallejo, where Falconitin had been a long-time member. “He was a loyal person to everyone around him. He was very adventurous and full of life and brought life to everyone he knew. We lost a good man that day.”
The crash is the latest in a series of fatalities on Silverado Trail, a road that has become increasingly hazardous for cyclists. In 2023, two Oregon cyclists were killed on the same stretch of road when they were struck by a passing truck’s unsecured load of lumber. The driver of the truck pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to nearly a year in jail earlier this month.
The stretch of Silverado Trail between Highway 121 and Yountville Cross Road has seen the highest number of crashes and the most severe accidents, according to data from 2016 and 2018. In response, the Napa Valley Transit Authority adopted a Vision Zero plan in December 2023, aiming to eliminate traffic fatalities countywide. Despite the efforts, fatal crashes continue to plague the region.
Silverado Trail has been the site of several serious accidents in recent months. In December, a pickup truck crashed into a tree near Yountville Cross Road, killing a passenger. The driver, arrested on suspicion of DUI, has yet to face charges. A few weeks earlier, a septic tanker truck overturned near Calistoga, injuring both occupants and spilling fuel onto the road.
CHP officials have stated that drugs and alcohol were not a factor in Tuesday’s crash, and investigators are continuing to piece together what led to the tragic event.
Falconitin’s death highlights the ongoing dangers that cyclists face on Silverado Trail and the need for continued efforts to improve road safety. Despite the tragic loss, those who knew him remember his legacy of kindness and selflessness, and the community continues to mourn his passing.