Defendant Convicted of Killing Five in DUI Crash

DATE: July 22, 2026

CASE: Cameron Garcia (Case #23FE002164)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Jordan Greenberg, Major Crime Unit

Cameron Garcia was convicted by a jury of five counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and carjacking. The jury also found true an enhancement for fleeing after committing a gross vehicular manslaughter and personally using a deadly weapon in the commission of the offense. Garcia pled to evading officers prior to trial.

On February 9, 2023, Garcia had spent the day drinking by the Sacramento River. He then drove down River Road just south of the Freeport Bridge with five passengers in his vehicle. When the road turned, Garcia drove off the road down an embankment and hit a tree going 101 miles per hour. Before hitting the tree, the accelerator was applied and no brakes were ever applied. The car flipped 180 degrees, tearing the entire right side and most off the roof off the vehicle. All five passengers were ejected from the vehicle. Monte Nunn (29), Faith Samuel (18), Izabelle Salaz-Stephens (19), Curvontay Swygert (16) and Aahliya Garcia (17) were all pronounced deceased at the scene. Garcia (28) survived with multiple injuries. As people began to arrive on scene, Garcia attempted to take several cars. A woman who was nearby heard the crash and drove to the scene. When she arrived, Garcia got into her car, pushed her out of the driver's seat and sped off with the vehicle. Garcia drove into Elk Grove where he was chased by multiple law enforcement patrol cars and helicopters. Garcia crashed the stolen vehicle into another car and after a failed attempt to steal another person's car, he fled on foot into a neighborhood. Law enforcement pursued Garcia until he was apprehended. Garcia was taken to the hospital. Blood tests showed he had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11% an hour and a half after the collision. He also had active marijuana in his system.

Allegations that Garcia has prior strike convictions for first-degree burglary as well as aggravating factors will be determined at a July 24, 2026, hearing.

Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 181 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for August 19, 2026, at 1:30 P.M. in Department 13A before the Honorable James Arguelles.