John Deltoro Accident; Killed in Solo Crash near Jacumba Hot Springs

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A van went off an embankment on the I-80 Freeway in San Diego County, killing a 29-year-old US Navy veteran and seriously injuring two others.

San Diego County, CA, June 6, 2022 — John Anthony Deltoro has been identified by authorities as the deceased victim in a solo van collision that occurred on June 3 near Jacumba Hot Springs in San Diego County. John Deltoro, a 29-year-old Electronics Technician 2nd Class and a ten-year veteran with the United States Navy and a resident of Augusta, Georgia, was one of five navy sailors in a Chevrolet Express van on the I-8 Freeway heading back to the San Diego area after leaving Imperial County’s Camp Billy Machen when the incident began. According to information attributed to the California Highway Patrol, at some time prior to 10:00 a.m., the van went off of the freeway and down an embankment in the vicinity of Carrizo Gorge Road, hitting a boulder along the way. John Deltoro tragically died after the collision. Two others in the car were seriously injured but were reportedly in stable collision. Authorities say they do not suspect a DUI but an investigation into the tragic incident is ongoing.

We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of John Anthony Deltoro during this very difficult time. Our thoughts also go out to the injured servicemembers.

When individuals are harmed or killed in traffic accidents and another party is at fault, full compensation is not always granted, despite the circumstances. Skilled legal representation from a car accident attorney is typically a must in these situations. Legal Defenders at the Law Offices of Burg and Brock has helped countless families and individuals obtain the compensation they need to deal with expenses and move on with their lives. For a police report or other information, call us today at (818) 405-9091.

Legal Defenders at the Law Offices of Burg and Brock has helped countless families and individuals obtain the compensation they need to deal with expenses and move on with their lives. For a police report or other information, call us today at (818) 405-9091.

What California law says after a car accident

Who may bring a wrongful death claim in California

When a collision results in death, California law allows specific family members to bring a wrongful death claim. The categories are defined by statute and generally include a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and, where there is no surviving spouse or issue, others who would be entitled to the property of the person who died. Certain dependents, including a putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents who were financially dependent, may also qualify.

A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own losses, including financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of the companionship, guidance, and society the person provided.

A separate claim, called a survival action, covers losses the person themselves sustained before death, such as medical expenses and lost earnings. California law changed here. For survival actions filed on or after January 1, 2026, damages for the decedent’s own pain, suffering, or disfigurement are no longer recoverable. Cases filed before that date are not affected, and different rules can apply in elder abuse matters.

Eligibility depends on family circumstances, filing deadlines are strict, and the damages available depend in part on when a case is filed.

Reporting requirements after a California collision

California imposes reporting duties on drivers that are separate from any insurance claim.

A report must be filed with the DMV on form SR-1 within ten days of a collision that caused any injury, any death, or more than one thousand dollars in property damage to any one person. This duty applies regardless of fault, applies even when police responded and wrote their own report, and is not satisfied by notifying an insurance company. With current repair costs, most collisions that involve a body shop meet the damage threshold.

A separate rule covers collisions causing injury or death. The driver must make a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police department where the collision happened in a city, within twenty four hours. The statute states this duty for every injury or fatal collision. In practice, where officers responded and completed a report at the scene, that report generally satisfies the agency’s need, but a driver who assumes this without confirming it is relying on practice rather than on the text of the law.

Missing the DMV deadline can lead to suspension of driving privileges, an outcome unrelated to who caused the collision.

Information for Families After a Fatal Collision

Losing a family member in a collision raises urgent legal questions, often long before anyone feels ready to ask them. These guides set out the basics, with no obligation attached.