PREVIOUSLY

• Family Seeks Justice for Anisha Gutshall, 19-Year-Old Victim of Head-On Crash

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A man pleaded guilty today to criminal charges for causing a collision that left a 19-year-old dead, exactly one year after the head-on crash near Rio Dell.

In court, Ocean Del Castillo, 24, pleaded guilty to both felony charges he faced in the case: vehicular manslaughter and driving the wrong way on a divided highway and causing death.

Today’s surprise plea left the victim’s loved ones feeling relieved. The judge accepted this in lieu of a scheduled preliminary hearing that was set to be held today. As Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran read aloud the charges and asked how he would plead, Del Castillo responded with “guilty.” He waived his right to a trial.

The open plea was not part of an agreement with prosecutors. Instead, a judge will later determine his sentence.

The District Attorney’s Office intends on bringing evidence to prove additional aggravating circumstances, hoping to get a harsher sentence. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees said in court they aim to show the victim was particularly vulnerable, and the crime included great violence.

On Oct. 28, 2025, Del Castillo drove into oncoming traffic on Highway 101, crashing head-on with a truck. Anisha Gutshall, a 19-year-old who was in the passenger seat of his car, died of injuries at the scene.

Submitted.

Del Castillo was charged in August for the crash. The family of Gutshall are pursuing a civil lawsuit against him and a manufacturer of nitrous oxide — a drug they claim he consumed while driving, which caused the crash (he denies this, and has not been charged with DUI-related crimes).

The sentencing was scheduled for December 15. Del Castillo remains in custody without the option of posting bail.

Many friends and family of Gutshall, who is remembered as a selfless and friendly person, breathed a sigh of relief in the courtroom. They had filled the chambers, wearing shirts calling for justice.

Echo Ryan, Gutshall’s mother, said the plea was a small win. “I was glad to hear him say ‘guilty,’” she told reporters outside the courthouse.

Leland Salomon, a family friend of Gutshall, thanked God he pleaded guilty. While saying there’s no rectifying a fatality, he hopes it can bring some closure, for now.

“We’re happy with an open plea,” said Willie Stein, an attorney who is representing the family.