ICE Blames Sanctuary Laws After Napa County Tragedy
A 53-year-old man accused of killing six people in a Napa County car crash is facing six counts of murder after authorities said he was driving drunk. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that the suspect, Norberto Celerino, had been deported from the United States multiple times prior to the incident, reigniting debate over California’s sanctuary policies.
The crash occurred on September 7 when Celerino allegedly lost control of a vehicle and collided with a tree, killing six of the seven passengers inside. One additional person survived but sustained critical injuries. According to the Napa County District Attorney’s Office, this marks Celerino’s fourth DUI offense.
District Attorney Allison Haley’s office confirmed that Celerino faces six counts of murder and other related charges in connection with the deadly wreck. Authorities identified the victims as Pedro Lopez Gomez, 57; Fernando Silverio, 34; Demetrio Celerino Francisco, 39; Beymar Reynosa Rodriguez, 32; Aaron Ruiz, 39; and Loreto Ricardo Hernandez, 42.
A History of Arrests and Deportations
ICE told local outlet KRON4 that Celerino — who has also used the names Norberto (Beto) Celerino Villalva, Grabien Martinez, and Roberto Savaringo-Diabla — is a “criminal alien from Mexico” who first entered the U.S. illegally in 1995.
“Since his first illegal entry, he has been arrested several times for possession of cocaine, multiple DUIs, and removed multiple times from the United States,” an ICE spokesperson said.
The agency said it has lodged an immigration detainer with Napa County authorities requesting custody of Celerino if he is released from local jurisdiction. However, ICE added that California’s sanctuary state laws often prevent such detainers from being honored.
ICE Criticizes Sanctuary Policies
In its statement, ICE sharply criticized California’s sanctuary laws, which limit local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
“His continued disregard for the laws within the United States, and California’s sanctuary laws, has led to this tragic incident,” the agency said. “Sanctuary laws continue to place the American public in danger and only protect the criminal aliens.”
California enacted its “sanctuary state” law in 2017, restricting police departments and sheriff’s offices from using resources to enforce federal immigration law or share information about detainees with ICE unless specific conditions are met. Supporters argue that such laws promote community trust and public safety by encouraging immigrants to report crimes without fear of deportation, while opponents claim they endanger citizens by preventing the removal of repeat offenders like Celerino.
Napa County Authorities Tight-Lipped
Local officials have not commented on Celerino’s immigration history, citing the ongoing criminal case. A spokesperson for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the crash remains under investigation, and prosecutors are preparing evidence for trial.
Celerino is currently being held in Napa County Jail without bail. His next court appearance is expected later this month.
Neighbors who witnessed the aftermath of the crash told KPIX-TV that the impact was “horrific” and that first responders worked for hours to remove victims from the wreckage. “It was like a bomb went off,” one nearby resident said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
A Tragic Pattern of Repeat Offenses
Court records indicate Celerino’s previous DUI convictions spanned multiple California counties over the past two decades. While it remains unclear how long he had been back in the United States before the fatal crash, ICE said his pattern of illegal re-entry and multiple deportations underscored what the agency described as a systemic failure of immigration enforcement.
The Napa County District Attorney’s Office has not said whether prosecutors will seek additional charges related to his immigration violations, but the murder counts suggest officials believe his actions displayed “implied malice” — a legal term used when a driver with prior DUIs causes a fatal crash while aware of the risks of driving intoxicated.
Community Mourns Six Victims
In the small Napa County community where the crash occurred, vigils have been held to honor the six lives lost. Local church leaders described the victims as hardworking men who were heading home from a late-night gathering.
“They were fathers, brothers, and friends,” one pastor told ABC7 News. “This is a tragedy that didn’t need to happen.”
As families grieve, the case of Norberto Celerino is becoming a flashpoint in the broader national debate over immigration policy, public safety, and accountability for repeat offenders.