Triple-Fatal Christmas Crash In Pleasanton Spurs Lawsuits: Report

PLEASANTON, CA — Lawsuits have been filed by family members of the Dublin High School students involved in the tragic, triple-fatal Christmas 2019 car crash that occurred just outside of the Pleasanton city limits in Alameda County, Pleasanton Weekly reported.

Twin brothers Mark and Michael Urista and driver Javier Ramirez, all age 16, were killed in the crash, which occurred around 10 p.m. on Foothill Road, just north of Castlewood Drive. Another two teenagers — Jared Reynoso and Samantha Vargas Arceo — suffered major injuries.

Two people were ejected from the car and the other three were trapped inside, the California Highway Patrol reported at the time. CHP previously said investigators believed the car was heading south on Foothill Road when it crossed into the northbound lanes, slamming first into a power pole and then hitting a tree with its roof.

Family of the Uristas and Reynoso filed in November a wrongful death and personal injury lawsuit against Ramirez's family, Ramirez's estate, the car's owner and Arceo, arguing she should've stopped a dangerous driver, Pleasanton Weekly reported. Arceo's guardian sued in January the car's owner, Alameda County, Caltrans and the city of Pleasanton, but the claim against the city was denied because the crash occurred in unincorporated Alameda County, the paper reported.

The crash sent shockwaves through the Tri-Valley community. Days later hundreds gathered at Dublin High School to mourn the three Gaels killed and pay tribute to the other two suffering from serious injuries.

"Our entire community is mourning the loss of three Dublin High School students. Our hearts are absolutely broken," Dublin Unified School District officials said in a released statement after news of the crash. "This is a devastating loss to our community and it is important that we remember to take care of one another during this critical time."

Read more from Pleasanton Weekly.

See more:

• 3 Teens Dead, 2 Injured After Christmas Night Crash In Pleasanton
• Dublin Mourns 3 High School Students Killed In Christmas Crash
• Candlelight Vigil Draws Hundreds To Mourn 3 Dublin Teens

— Patch Editors Bea Karnes and Toni McAllister contributed to this report