Fatal Peninsula DUI Crash Suspect Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA — An 18-year-old man made his initial appearance in court Monday to face vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and other charges for an alleged drunk driving crash that killed a passenger in his vehicle in South San Francisco on Saturday night, prosecutors said.

Angel DeJesus Castro, a South San Francisco resident, did not enter a plea to the multiple felony charges and is scheduled to return to court Nov. 21. He remains in custody on $250,000 bail, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.

The crash was reported around 11:40 p.m. Saturday on South Linden Avenue, where Castro allegedly lost control of his vehicle, sideswiped a telephone pole, continued driving and then struck another telephone pole, prosecutors said.

A passenger in the vehicle, 18-year-old Salvador Guillen Avila, was pronounced dead about an hour after the crash. Investigators found a half-empty bottle of tequila and empty beer cans, as well as a vape pen and marijuana in the vehicle, and Castro was allegedly driving without a driver's license, according to the District Attorney's Office.

A GoFundMe is soliciting donations to cover funeral expenses. Salvador Guillen's Funeral has raised over $13,500 since its Monday launch.

He is described by a relative who created the GoFundMe as “one of the greatest and kindest souls.”

“We want everyone to remember Salvador, or what our family would call him (Chavis, Chavita), with a smile,” the GoFundMe said.

“As a young boy, Chavita had many interests. He played soccer and loved to play video games, and his love for making youtube videos as a young kid was unmatched. As a young adult, Chavita had many plans.

“He always wished for a better life for his parents and worked hard to make that happen. Chavita was the type of person to help you when you asked and wouldn't think twice about doing so. He was funny, charismatic, and loving in his own ‘Chavita’ way.”

To contribute, visit the Salvador Guillen's Funeral.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner

— Bay City News contributed to this report