Two fathers died in a violent traffic collision in South Los Angeles on Friday morning, one of whom was on his way to meet his newborn child.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office identified the deceased as Sergio Hill, 32, and Alvaro Castillo Jr., 35. Family members, who identified the men as Sergio and Tito Castillo through a crowdfunding platform, stated both sustained fatal blunt force trauma injuries. Castillo's daughter was also critically injured in the incident.
The fatal crash occurred around 10:44 a.m. at the 3300 block of West 78th Street in the Hyde Park neighborhood, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Authorities reported that at least three vehicles were involved: a Chevy pickup truck, a Toyota Camry, and a black BMW SUV. Police indicated the Toyota Camry was attempting to turn left from West 78th Street onto Crenshaw Boulevard when it was struck on its passenger side by the BMW.
Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to a multi-vehicle traffic collision with extrication involving four patients. Firefighter paramedics pronounced two individuals deceased at the scene. A third patient was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, and a fourth received on-scene medical attention. The department did not release the ages of the victims.
A convenience store owner in the vicinity told KTLA News that the driver of the black BMW SUV was reportedly racing a Tesla prior to the collision. Surveillance footage provided by the owner appeared to show both vehicles traveling at high speed northbound on Crenshaw Boulevard shortly before the crash. "I heard a 'whoosh' go by and I could see them through my window," the owner stated. "And then you hear the 'boom,' and I said, 'Someone just died,' because it was a very loud crash and they were going so fast."
According to family statements, Sergio was en route to the airport to meet his newborn son for the first time when the accident occurred. A GoFundMe page described Sergio as a kind and humble man who worked hard and was always willing to help others. "No matter how long the day or how difficult the job became, Sergio would show up with a positive attitude and a heart full of generosity," his family wrote. The page also noted the accident claimed the life of Tito, Sergio's friend, and left Tito's young daughter in critical condition. Castillo's family described him as funny, loving, and always ready to assist those in need, leaving behind two young daughters, one of whom remains in critical condition.
