Their loved ones are devastated after their Southern California father was killed by suspicion of drunk drivers.
On March 4th, Pomona victim Jesse Garza, 27, quit his job at 11:30pm and began returning home.
At about 12:15am, he was struck by the suspect’s car near North Diamond Bar Boulevard and Temple Avenue, Diamond Bar, just half a mile away from his home.
The collision, which also involved a third nearby vehicle, saw at least one car split in half, with cars scattered across the road. Garza was declared dead at the scene. The suspect, Winston Jarrett Fairchild, 24, was taken to hospital for treatment.
The crash remains under investigation, but detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it is likely that speed, DUI and potential red light violations were involved.
“I saw yellow [police] “The victim’s wife, Regan Porter, shed tears, seeing his car in the middle of the intersection and looking at the bumper of his car.” “I was on the phone with his younger brother and said, ‘I think I found him.’ ”
Jesse Garza is seen along with his wife and two children. (Garza family) Jesse Garza is seen with his family. (Garza family) Jesse Garza is seen along with his wife and two children. (Garza Family) Emergency Crew will respond to a fatal crash at the Diamond Bar on March 4, 2025. (KNN) Emergency crew responds to a fatal crash on the Diamond Bar on March 4, 2025. Jesse Garza. (Garza family) Jesse Garza (center) is portrayed with family and loved ones. Garza Family) The victim’s friends and family are trying to raise funds for the funeral by holding a car wash fundraiser in Chino from March 8th to 9th, 2025. March 8th to 9th, 2025. (KTLA) Emergency crew responds to a fatal crash on the Diamond Bar on March 4, 2025. (Garza family)
Garza’s loved ones described him as a kind friend, a beloved father and working hard to support his family. Community members work to raise funds for funeral expenses and to support their wife and two young children.
“The flood of love and support from my friends, family and everyone who is gathering is very comforting,” said Vincent Garza, the father of the victim.
Vanessa van Muysen, the mother of the victim, said she has sympathy for the suspect’s parents but wants to see justice for the death of her son.
“Their sons are still alive,” Van Muysen said. “They can see their son, they can hold their son, they can still hear him, but I feel he shouldn’t be living his life outside. He should be behind the bar for the rest of his life.”
“The feeling that he’s coming home from work is that he’s excited because he’s never seen him all day, but that’s not going to happen again,” his wife said. “I’m not going to see him again.”
On March 6th, Fairchild pleaded not guilty to the murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing physical damage, and during his arrest he drove under the influence with a blood alcohol content of over 0.08%. He is in custody on $100,000 bail and is on court hearing on March 27th.
Garza’s parents said they hope that their son’s story serves as a reminder to never get behind the wheel while drunk or affected.
“They don’t realize that it’s just a momentary decision and that someone’s life will be taken away,” Van Muysen said.
The GoFundMe page supporting Garza’s families can be found here. A car wash fundraiser will be held outside Gallien Central Liquor at 13115 Central Avenue in Chino, where drinks will begin at 8am from March 8th to 9th.
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