John Marquez, 20, is suspected of DUI following a collision that caused the death of a 69-year-old San Martin resident and injured four at the intersection of East Middle Avenue and Center Avenue.
Morgan Hill, CA, May 16, 2022 — Lorenzo Castillo has been identified by authorities as the victim in a two-vehicle collision that occurred on May 15 in Morgan Hill. John Padilla Marquez is suspected of DUI following the collision. Lorenzo Castillo, a 69-year-old San Martin resident, was driving an older model Ford F-150 pickup truck east on East Middle Avenue prior to 12:50 p.m. At the same time, a Chevrolet Malibu driven by 20-year-old San Jose resident John Marquez was heading south on Center Avenue. Authorities allege that the Chevrolet failed to stop at a stop sign, causing the collision. At least one occupant of the pickup truck was thrown from the vehicle. First-responders arrived but Lorenzo Castillo died from his injuries. Two passengers, described as a 57-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl were taken to area hospitals with injuries. John Padilla Marquez and a 21-year-old passenger in the Malibu were also taken for treatment. A third occupant was not injured. The California Highway Patrol in Hollister-Gilroy has said it suspects that alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident as the investigation continues.
We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Lorenzo Castillo during this very difficult time. Our thoughts also go out to the injured.
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 truck or 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.
- California wrongful death attorney: who may file, the deadlines that apply, and what a claim covers
- Los Angeles car accident lawyer: fault, insurance offers, and what a claim is worth
- All practice areas