Taft man charged in crash that killed three, authorities say

Update: April 11, 2025 — A 34-year-old man from Taft, California, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter following a violent crash that claimed the lives of three people on Wednesday evening, authorities confirmed Friday.

The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. on April 9 along Highway 33 near the Taft city limits. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver, identified as Marco Rodriguez, was operating a 2018 Ford F-150 when he lost control of the vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a 2022 Honda Civic carrying three occupants.

All three individuals in the Honda — a 42-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman, and a 7-year-old child — were pronounced dead at the scene. The child was identified as Mia Castillo, a second‑grade student at Taft Primary School. The two adults were her parents, Luis and Elena Castillo, longtime residents of the area.

Rodriguez sustained minor injuries and was treated at Kern Medical Center before being booked into the Kern County Jail. He is now facing three counts of vehicular manslaughter, along with a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Preliminary blood test results show a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.17%, more than double the legal limit of 0.08%.

“This is a devastating tragedy that has shaken our entire community,” said Taft Police Chief Anthony Marquez in a press conference Friday morning. “The loss of three lives — especially a young child — is incomprehensible. Our hearts go out to the Castillo family.”

The crash has reignited calls for enhanced safety measures along Highway 33, a rural two-lane road that has seen multiple fatal accidents in recent years. The Kern County Board of Supervisors has announced an emergency review of traffic patterns and potential improvements, including additional lighting and guardrails.

Local residents have expressed grief and anger. A vigil is planned for Saturday evening at the Taft Community Center, where friends and neighbors will gather to honor the Castillo family. “They were such kind, generous people. Mia was always smiling,” said neighbor Patricia Nguyen, who attended the same school as the victim’s mother.

The investigation is ongoing. CHP officials are asking any witnesses to come forward. Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, April 14, where prosecutors will argue for no bail given the severity of the charges.

As of Friday, a GoFundMe page organized by the Castillo family’s relatives has raised over $45,000 to cover funeral expenses, with donations pouring in from across Kern County.

Attorney for Rodriguez, David Kim, stated that his client is “deeply remorseful” and intends to cooperate fully with the legal process. “Mr. Rodriguez is devastated by the outcome and is committed to making amends as best he can within the law,” Kim said.

This tragedy marks the fourth fatal crash on Highway 33 in the past 18 months. The CHP has increased patrols on the stretch, but advocates say more permanent infrastructure changes are needed. “We keep putting up signs and flags, but people keep dying,” said Maria Delgado, a local activist who lost her brother in a 2023 crash on the same road. “When will the county actually do something?”

The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of drunk driving in rural areas, where access to public transportation is limited. “In small towns like Taft, people often drive after drinking because there’s no other way home,” said Dr. James Hartner, a public health researcher at the University of California, Kern. “This is a systemic problem that requires both education and enforcement.”

The Castillo family’s funeral will be held on Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taft, with a procession to follow. The school district has brought in grief counselors for students and staff.

For now, the community mourns a family lost in an instant. “They were just going to the grocery store,” said a close friend who asked not to be named. “And now they’re gone because someone chose to drive drunk.”

The CHP urges anyone with information about the crash to call the Taft area office at (661) 555-0192.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.