Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On October 28, 2025, at approximately 1409 hours, CHP Humboldt Communications Center (HCC) received a call of a vehicle fire and a head-on traffic crash on US-101 Southbound near Metropolitan Road. Emergency personnel arrived on scene and located a 2012 BMW engulfed in flames.

Through on-scene investigation it was determined a 2020 Ford F350, driven by Justin Ambrose, was traveling southbound on US-101 in the number two lane. Ocean DelCastillo was driving a 2012 BMW 328, with a passenger, northbound on US-101. For an unknown reason, DelCastillo allowed the BMW to cross the center median and drove the wrong way onto US-101 southbound toward Ambrose’s Ford. The Ford and BMW crashed head-on within the southbound lanes of US-101. After the crash, the BMW became engulfed in flames. DelCastillo’s passenger succumbed to fatal injuries on scene. DelCastillo was transported to St. Joseph Hospital with major injuries. It is unknown at this time if drugs and/or alcohol contributed to the cause of this crash.

The CHP Humboldt Area would like to thank Rio Dell Volunteer Fire Department, Fortuna Fire Department, Humboldt County Sheriff Department, Fortuna Police Department, Rio Dell Police Department, City Ambulance, California Department of Transportation, and all other emergency personnel on scene for their assistance in this incident. The CHP Humboldt Area office is continuing its investigation and asks anyone who may have additional information to contact the California Highway Patrol at 707-713-6300.