Sacramento County, CA (May 18, 2026) – Two 20-year-old e-motorcycle riders were killed Monday night when a speeding Nissan Titan pickup truck struck them as they sat stopped at a stop sign in Sacramento County, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash happened around 9:15 p.m. on Eagles Nest Road at Woodring Drive, just south of the Mather Golf Course.
CHP said witnesses reported the riders were stopped at the stop sign with no helmets on when the pickup truck – traveling at an extreme high rate of speed – lost control and ran them both over. “They were actually stopped, per witnesses. They were stopped at the stop sign when the pickup truck was traveling at an extreme high rate of speed, lost control, ran them both over,” said Angie Monroe, public information officer with CHP East Sacramento.
Two male subjects ran from the scene into nearby fields. One was detained at the scene. The other was arrested at his house and identified Tuesday as 24-year-old Jihvon Thompson. Thompson was charged with two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, two counts of felony DUI causing great bodily injury or death, one count of felony hit and run, and an additional DUI count, CHP said. He was being held in the Sacramento County Main Jail on $550,000 bail and is next due in court Thursday.
Two other people were transported to the hospital – one with major injuries and one with moderate injuries, per Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. CHP said the riders and the people in the truck were known to one another, and that witnesses reported the groups had been hanging out and possibly drinking together in nearby dirt fields. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor.
The identities of the riders have not been released. The crash is under investigation.
Losing a 20-year-old child to a drunk driver who fled the scene is a grief no family is prepared for. Here is what the families in this crash need to know.
What Families Can Do After a Fatal DUI Crash in Sacramento County
Can the family pursue a civil claim before the criminal case ends? Yes. A wrongful death civil case is separate from the criminal prosecution. A family does not have to wait for a DUI verdict to file. Evidence developed in the criminal investigation often supports the civil case, but the goals and standards are different – criminal prosecution seeks punishment, while a civil claim seeks compensation for the family.
What can a California wrongful death claim cover? Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, eligible family members may recover funeral and burial costs, the deceased’s lost future earnings, loss of household services, and loss of love, companionship, care, and guidance. In fatal DUI cases, punitive damages may also be available — additional damages meant to punish particularly reckless conduct, including driving under the influence.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in California? California law permits the deceased’s surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and — in many cases — parents or other individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased to bring a wrongful death claim.
How long does a California family have to file? Wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death (California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 335.1 and 377.60). This crash occurred on May 18, 2026 – the filing deadline is May 18, 2028. Physical evidence, witness recollection, and toxicology details all become harder to obtain the longer a family waits.
That is why the most important first step a family can take after a fatal crash is also the simplest one – a free, no-pressure conversation with a Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer who handles these cases. The call commits your family to nothing. It does, however, start the work of preserving the evidence your case will rely on two years from now – before insurance adjusters, defense investigators, or social-media posts begin shaping the story without you in it.
Contact Our Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If your family or anyone you love was involved in the May 18 crash near Mather, the Law Offices of J.G. Winter will sit down with your family at no cost and explain exactly what California law lets you do next, on your timeline.
Our personal injury lawyers have spent the last 20 years representing Northern California families after fatal DUI and wrongful death crashes. We work on a contingency fee basis – no upfront cost, and no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for your family. Here is why families across Sacramento County trust us:
- Proven Results: $100M+ Recovered
- 4.9-star rating from 146+ verified client reviews
- 20 years of personal injury experience
- No fee unless we win your case
- 24/7 support – Call us anytime
- Bilingual attorneys – English & Spanish
Call (844) 764-2596 and tell us what happened. Not ready to call? leave your details here and we will reach out to you as soon as possible.
