Fatal DUI Crash on Highway 128 Kills Passenger [Boonville, CA]

Driver Arrested After Fatal DUI Crash on Highway 128 in Boonville

Boonville, CA (April 1, 2026) – A passenger died, and authorities arrested the driver on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter after a crash on Highway 128 early Wednesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP said a 2006 Acura TL was traveling eastbound on Hwy 128 at about 2:24 a.m. on April 1 when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered left and overturned onto a residential property. 

An 18-year-old Boonville resident was driving the car, authorities said.

Emergency medical personnel and law enforcement officers responded to the scene, but despite life-saving efforts, a passenger in the vehicle died at the crash site. The driver was not injured. 

Authorities are withholding the identity of the deceased passenger until family members are notified.

Investigators said the cause of the collision remains under investigation, but alcohol impairment was a factor. 

According to the Mendocino County Jail booking logs, the driver, identified by CHP as Damian T. Eligio-Diaz, 18, of Boonville, was booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing bodily injury.

CHP asks anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact the CHP Ukiah office at 707-467-4420.

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Sweet Lawyers extend our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of the deceased. May the bereaved find solace and strength in this extremely trying time.

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Compassionate Support for Families After a Fatal Boonville DUI Crash

A fatal crash involving suspected alcohol impairment is a heartbreaking tragedy that can leave families overwhelmed by grief, anger, confusion, and painful unanswered questions.

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When a fatal Highway 128 crash takes a life, compassionate advocacy can help families feel supported as they navigate an incredibly difficult chapter.

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