HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. — A devastating crash on Highway 101 near Metropolitan Road left one person dead and another seriously injured Tuesday afternoon, October 28, 2025. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the violent head-on collision occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m. and involved a 2012 BMW 328 and a 2020 Ford F-350.
Authorities report that the BMW, driven by 23-year-old Ocean DelCastillo of Eureka, was traveling northbound on Highway 101 when it suddenly drifted across the center divide and into the southbound lanes. The vehicle then collided head-on with the Ford F-350 driven by 40-year-old Justin Ambrose of Fortuna. The impact was catastrophic, causing the BMW to burst into flames moments after the collision.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies — including the California Highway Patrol, Fortuna Fire Department, and Cal Fire — rushed to the scene. Despite their swift efforts, one passenger inside the BMW was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity has not yet been released pending family notification.
Ocean DelCastillo, the driver of the BMW, sustained major injuries and was quickly transported by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released an update on her current condition. The driver of the Ford, Justin Ambrose, also suffered injuries, though the extent of his condition remains unclear as of Wednesday morning.
Photos and reports from the scene indicate both vehicles sustained extensive damage. The southbound lanes of Highway 101 were closed for several hours as investigators and cleanup crews worked to extinguish the flames, clear debris, and document evidence. Traffic was diverted onto nearby routes, causing significant delays throughout the afternoon.
The California Highway Patrol has launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Officers are examining whether impairment, distraction, fatigue, or a mechanical failure may have played a role in the vehicle crossing into oncoming traffic.
This tragic accident has sent shockwaves through the Eureka and Fortuna communities, where both victims are known. Friends and family members of those involved have expressed deep sorrow and concern, sharing heartfelt prayers for DelCastillo’s recovery and mourning the loss of the unidentified passenger.
As investigators work to determine what led to the crash, authorities are once again urging all drivers to remain alert, obey speed limits, and stay focused on the road — particularly on two-lane sections of Highway 101, which have long been known for serious and sometimes fatal collisions.
The CHP continues to investigate and is asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dashcam footage from the area around 2:00 p.m. to contact their Humboldt office.
This tragic event serves as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be changed — and lost — on the road. The community now rallies in support of Ocean DelCastillo and in remembrance of the life so tragically taken too soon.
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