Man killed by suspected DUI driver in multi-vehicle Riverside crash
Family members are devastated after a Riverside man was killed by a suspected DUI driver who crashed into him during a high-speed collision on a busy road.
On April 16, Riverside police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Market Street between 5th Street and Mission Inn Avenue in downtown Riverside at 6:15 p.m.
The suspect, Isaac Isaiah Villalba, 19, of Redlands, had smashed into four occupied vehicles on the road, leaving a trail of destruction behind, police said.
Inside one of the cars he rear-ended was Christian Barragan, 37, of Riverside. Barragan's Honda Civic was totaled by the high-speed impact. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Villalba, along with five other people, was transported to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to moderate.
The suspect, who was driving a Dodge Challenger, attempted to flee the destructive scene. When officers arrived, cell phone video captured police wrestling Villalba to the ground. At one point, he fights back and attempts to run away before an officer uses a stun gun to take him down.
Family members said Barragan was driving home from work that day after covering an employee's shift.
After his father died in 2022, Barragan had been running his family's restaurant, Mr. Taco, located on Main Street in downtown Riverside.
'He had a big smile,' said Arturo Barragan, Christian's brother. 'Any moment, you're always left with a smile [from him.]'
'He was a happy guy,' said Fernando Barragan, Christian's brother. 'He was always working and he never missed a game for the Dodgers.'
Christian's siblings are mourning the devastating loss of their youngest brother while hoping the suspect remains off the streets so nobody else gets hurt.
Villalba was arrested for murder, felony hit-and-run causing injury or death, suspicion of being under the influence of drugs causing injury or death, and resisting arrest with violence.
He was later charged with second-degree murder and faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
A court hearing for Villalba was held Friday at a downtown Riverside courtroom where Christian's siblings saw the man accused of killing their brother for the first time.
'He needs to know what he did to us and he needs to pay for what he did,' said Patty Mercado, Christian's sister. 'We're here to get justice for my brother.'
An arraignment hearing is scheduled for May 2. Villalba is being held on $1 million bail.
The circumstances leading up to the fatal crash remain under investigation. Anyone with information or video of the collision is urged to contact Detective Matthew Parrish at 951-353-8177 or email MWParrish@RiversideCA.gov.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the 'Atlas 1' mobile app by using the 'Send a Message' feature. App downloads for Apple devices can be found here. Android device downloads can be found here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Johnson City man convicted in 2021 overdose death
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Johnson City man has been convicted of murder in connection to another man's overdose death. A jury convicted Austin Forkpa of second-degree murder, sale of methamphetamine, and sale of fentanyl, according to a release by the district attorney's office. Forkpa was charged following the death of 20-year-old Bueford Patton III, who was found unresponsive by friends on Sept. 18, 2021. JCPD: Man facing attempted rape, indecent exposure charges According to the release, an investigation by Johnson City police revealed that Patton and two friends were attending a bachelor party when they obtained narcotics from Forkpa, who told them the drugs were Percocet and MDMA, or ecstasy. 'Unknown to the young men, Mr. Forkpa actually sold them fentanyl and methamphetamine,' the district attorney's office said. On June 4, the third day of the trial, the jury convicted Forkpa on all counts. The second-degree murder conviction carries a 15-25 year prison sentence at 100%, according to the release. Forkpa also faces 12-20 years at 35% for the sale of methamphetamine and 6-10 years for the sale of fentanyl. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmakers push for public registry to track animal abuse offenders
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A new bill would work to better protect animals from harm, specifically, from those convicted of animal abuse. In a memo, Representatives Scott Conklin, Kathleen Tomlinson and Melissa Shusterman are pointing to other states when it comes to practices that work to protect those who cannot speak for themselves. They note that over a decade ago, Tennessee became the first state to adopt a resolution creating a statewide registry for animal abusers. They also note that since then, other states and local governments have introduced similar measures to better protect pets. 'Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not one of these states, allowing individuals convicted of animal cruelty to go undetected. With no way for the community to quickly check for a past history of abuse, offenders are given the opportunity to continue these heinous acts as they are able to purchase or adopt animals,' The representatives wrote. Here are several cases that WTAJ has covered from Central Pennsylvania: Dogs, cat, bird rescued from abuse situation in Somerset County Bedford dog hoarding case set for trial Two charged after 'indescribable' animal abuse scene at Altoona house fire Four dogs found dead, 19 other animals surrendered in Cambria County According to a 2024 report, since Libre's Law took effect in Pennsylvania in 2017, there have been over 52,000 animal abuse offenses filed. From those numbers, nearly 61% had been for the neglect of animals, 29% were for cruelty to animals and 10% were for aggravated cruelty to animals. The proposed legislation would require people who are convicted of animal abuse to register their personal information and the offense for a 15-year period. They'd also have to annually renew their registration and every county sheriff would be tasked with maintaining a local registry that would be forwarded to state police. That registry would then be publicly accessible. 'As elected officials, it is our duty to protect every Pennsylvanian, including our animal friends and family members who cannot speak for themselves,' according to the memo. The representatives noted that they feel the registry would help to prevent abusers from continuing to inflict harm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘You know what happened' DuBois man shot, killed roommate, police report
DUBOIS, Pa. (WTAJ) — A DuBois man was jailed after allegedly shooting and killing his roommate, then waiting hours to call 911 on himself. Christopher Euard, 52, was arrested on criminal homicide charges June 7 after police were called to his home in Sandy Township at around 3:10 a.m. According to the criminal complaint, police arrived at Euard's residence to find him on the porch after he called 911 and allegedly stated he shot his roommate and they're dead. Euard was immediately taken into custody without incident. Police said that the victim, Timothy Pirragilla, was found on the kitchen floor with a single bullet wound to his chest. Clearfield County Coroner Kim Shaffer-Snyder pronounced him dead at the scene. According to charging documents, Euard claimed he and Pirragila have been in heated arguments recently about the living situation. On the night in question, he alleged that Pirragila came home around 9:30 p.m. and an argument got physical. He claimed Pirragila knocked him to the ground. He added that Pirragila also pushed his head into a corner with force. DuBois man charged with criminal homicide in shooting Euard went on to explain that the two separated and went to their rooms. About 35 minutes later, Euard took his AR-15 style firearm and confronted Pirragila and shot him once in the chest, the complaint reads. Another roommate who spoke to police said he was going to leave the house because he didn't want to be involved in their argument, but then Euard emerged with a gun. According to their statement to police, Pirragila commented that Eard wasn't going to do it before using profane language to insult Euard, the complaint shows. The third man told police he heard a loud pop and turned to see Pirragila on the floor. He said when he asked what just happened, Euard allegedly stated, 'You know what happened,' before telling the man not to call 911. The man said he then left the house and found somewhere to stay. Police noted that when they asked Euzrd why it took him so long to call, he claimed it's because he passed was charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. He was placed in Clearfield County Jail with bail denied Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
