Arianna Valencia and Camilla Valencia die in fatal Merced County car crash
Fatal Merced County car crash death of Arianna Valencia and Camilla Valencia – Obituary
Two sisters, 20-year-old Arianna Valencia and 3-year-old Camilla Valencia, both from Winton, tragically lost their lives in a suspected DUI collision on Sunday night, June 1, in Merced County.
The California Highway Patrol reported that Moises Haven Castillo, 19, of Catheys Valley, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado at high speed heading east on Southern Pacific Avenue in Atwater. As he neared the intersection at Commerce Avenue, he allegedly ran through a stop sign.
At that same moment, a 17-year-old driver in a 2025 Honda Civic was turning left onto southbound Commerce Avenue after stopping. Castillo’s vehicle struck the Honda on the passenger side, violently tearing off both the front and rear passenger doors.
The impact threw Arianna Valencia from the car. Bystanders and the other passengers in the Honda attempted to help, and officers performed CPR. Arianna was pronounced dead at the scene. Her younger sister, Camilla, was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Merced, where she was later declared dead.
Authorities say Castillo attempted to flee the scene on foot but was quickly detained. He was taken into custody and faces charges including felony DUI, vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run.
The teenage driver and front-seat passenger in the Honda sustained only minor injuries and declined medical attention.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family with funeral costs. The incident remains under investigation.
