Aristeo Jimenez (Full Name: Aristeo Cruz Jimenez) and Marcos Alia (Full Name: Marcos Cruz Alia) Died in Monterey County Truck Accident on Highway 183 Outside of Salinas, Near Castroville
CASTROVILLE, CALIFORNIA (October 24, 2025) – Two people identified as Aristeo Jimenez, of Port Hume, and Marcos Alia, of Salinas, died in a Monterey County truck accident on Highway 183.
Monterey County officials are saying that the collision took place around 4:16 p.m. on Thursday. Aristeo Jimenez and Marcos Alia were in a red sedan waiting to make a turn at an intersection.
Their vehicle was rear-ended by a gray GMC SUV and pushed into the path of a semi-truck traveling down Highway 183. The semi-truck crashed into the side of their vehicle.
Meanwhile, the driver of the SUV fled the scene. Paramedics were called to the scene to help the victims.
A 20-year-old man driving the sedan was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, Aristeo Jimenez and Marcos Alia both died due to the severe nature of their injuries.
Police later located the 19-year-old driver of the GMC. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Liability for Monterey County Truck Accidents
Drivers in California must use caution to avoid collisions with other vehicles. This requires that they maintain a safe follow distance. According to California Vehicle Code 21703, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.” Several factors could contribute to any particular collision.
- Driver Distraction: A large portion of fatal collisions involve a driver distracted by their phones or other devices.
- Driver Intoxication: Many collisions involve drivers that are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. What many drivers do not realize is that many substances, including over-the-counter medications, can hamper their ability to operate a vehicle safely.
- Inclement Weather: Poor weather can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle, especially during rainstorms.
- Vehicle System Failures: Though relatively rare, the component parts of a vehicle, such as the brakes, could give out and lead to a collision.
There could be multiple liable parties for any particular car accident. This includes the driver that rear-ended any vehicle in the roadway. Truck drivers could also be held at fault if they fail to slow down to avoid colliding with another vehicle. These drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). They are required to operate with the utmost care to avoid collisions. Accordingly, they must operate their vehicle defensively and take into consideration other people’s poor driving habits.
Steps to Take After Monterey County Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks are involved in many serious injury and fatal accidents each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “In 2023 there were 5,472 people killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks. This was an 8-percent decrease from 5,969 in 2022. Seventy percent of people killed in large-truck traffic crashes in 2023 were occupants of other vehicles.” Multiple actions should be taken after any accident involving a commercial truck.
- Police Investigation: The police should be called to the scene as soon as possible so that they can create an official report of the collision.
- Document Collection: All medical records and crash reports related to the collision should be sought. These can be extremely useful in the event of litigation.
- Truck Review: The truck involved in the crash should be carefully examined. Most commercial trucks have event data recorders (EDRs) that can help reveal what happened.
- Independent Investigation: Truck accidents should be examined by a team with ample experience in tort claims. This team can help uncover what went wrong and identify all potentially liable parties.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any semi-truck accident. Victims often sustain serious injuries that result in high medical bills and impair their ability to work. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights protected by the law. These rights extend to the family of any person who is killed due to the negligence of other drivers. They are able to seek transparency and accountability through CCP § 377.60, California’s wrongful death statute.
Investigating Monterey County Truck Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the families of Aristeo Jimenez and Marcos Alia. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the California Highway Patrol. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Do you need more information about a Monterey County truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent drivers are held accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español.
