Members of the family are in devastation after a riverside man suspected of being a DUI driver who crashed into him during a highway crash on a busy road is killed.
On April 16, Riverside Police responded to a multi-veller crash on Market Street between Fifth Avenue and Mission in Avenue in Downtown Riverside at 6:15pm.
The suspect, Isaac Isaiah Villarva, 19, was 19 in the Redlands and destroyed four occupied vehicles on the road, leaving marks of destruction, police said.
One of the cars he repeated the ending to the rear end was Christian Barragan, 37, of Riverside. The Honda Civic in Barragan was combined by the impact of the highway. He was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
Villalba, along with five others, was taken to hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
Christian Barragan, 37, can be seen in photos provided by her family. Isaac Isaya Villalba, 19, of the Redlands, is shown in this mug shot provided by the Riverside Police Station on April 17, 2025. One multi-vehicle crash in downtown Riverside (onscene.tv) died on April 16, 2025, and six people were hospitalized after a multi-vehicle crash in downtown Riverside on April 16, 2025 (onscene.tv). One other six (onscene.tv) who were hospitalized after a multivill crash in downtown Riverside on April 16, 2025 was killed, and six were hospitalized after a multivill crash in downtown Riverside on April 16, 2025. (onscene.tv)
The suspect, driving a Dodge Challenger, attempted to escape the destructive scene. When officers arrived, cell phone videos wrestled police to the ground. At one point he fights back and tries to escape before the police use a stun gun to drop him down.
The family said Barragan had been home from work that day after covering employee shifts.
After his father passed away in 2022, Barragan ran Mr. Tacos, a family restaurant on Main Street in Downtown Riverside.
“He had a big smile,” said Arturo Barragan, Christian’s brother. “Anytime, you’re always left with a smile [from him.]”
“He was a happy man,” said Fernando Barragan, Christian’s brother. “He’s always working and never missed the Dodgers game.”
Christian Barragan (far right) is seen with her loved one in a family photo. Christian Barragan runs Tacos, his late father’s restaurant, on Main Street, downtown Riverside. (KTLA) 37-year-old Christian Barragan can be seen in photos provided by his family. Kiristian Barragan, 37, can be seen in photos provided by her family. Suspect, Isaac Isaiah Villarba, 19, of Redlands, can be seen in this mug shot provided by Riverside Police Station on April 17, 2025. 2025. (onscene.tv)
Christian’s brother mourns the devastating loss of his late brother while hoping that the suspect will remain off the street.
Villarva was arrested for resisting arrest for violence on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs that caused murder, felony blows or death, causing injuries and death.
He was later charged with second-degree murder and faced 15 years in prison if convicted.
A court hearing in Bilraba took place on Friday in the courtroom in downtown Riverside, where Christian brother saw a man accused of killing his brother for the first time.
“He needs to know what he did to us and pay for what he did,” said Christian’s sister Patty Mercado. “We’re here to get my brother’s justice.”
An arrest hearing is scheduled for May 2nd. Villalba is being held on $1 million bail.
The situation leading to a fatal crash is under investigation. Anyone with information or video of the conflict can contact Detective Matthew Parrish at 951-353-8177 or email mwparrish@riversideca.gov.
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