45-Year-Old Father and 7-Year-Old Son Die in Deadly Car Accident on Marks Avenue

FRESNO, CA (May 4, 2021) – Jose Castillo and his son Jose Castillo Jr died Saturday evening in a fatal crash on Marks Avenue.

The tragic incident happened just after 8:00 p.m., on May 1. Emergency crews arrived in the area of Marks and North Avenue, shortly after.

According to reports, 22-year-old Jovan Adam Cortez was driving north on Marks when he ran a stop sign and collided with the SUV, which was carrying a family of six.

As a result, two people inside the SUV were ejected from the vehicle. In addition, the suspect’s truck caught fire upon impact.

Authorities identified the parties ejected from the SUV as 45-year-old Jose Castillo and his son, 7-year-old Jose Castillo Jr.

Tragically, both the father and son were killed in the crash. Meanwhile, paramedics took the rest of the family to a local hospital for further treatment.

All of the children were seriously injured while the mother sustained minor injuries and was the only one wearing a seatbelt, according to officers.

Responding crews pulled out Cortez and his 10-month-old daughter from the burning car. Investigators believe Cortez was intoxicated at the time.

Fresno Police later arrested Cortez for DUI, among other charges. An investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

Our warm and sincerest sympathies go out to the friends and family of Jose Castillo and his son Jose Castillo Jr.

The sudden loss of a loved one as a result of an accident is a traumatizing experience. The suffering is worse when the negligence of a third party caused the death. If you have lost a loved one in an accident and you need the help of a wrongful death attorney, contact Sweet James. They have a team of experienced and dedicated lawyers who will help you through every step of the legal process. For a free evaluation of your case details, call their hotline at (800) 975-3435. To request a police report, click here. They are here to help you and your family during these trying times.

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