Loved ones are devastated after a Southern California father was killed by a suspected drunk driver.
On March 4, the victim, Jesse Garza, 27, of Pomona, had left work at 11:30 p.m. and began driving home.
At around 12:15 a.m., he was struck by the suspect’s car near North Diamond Bar Boulevard and Temple Avenue in Diamond Bar, only a half-mile away from his home.
The collision, which also involved a third nearby vehicle, left at least one car split in half, while auto debris was scattered across the roadway. Garza was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, Winston Jarrett Fairchild, 24, was transported to the hospital for treatment.
Although the crash remains under investigation, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said speed, DUI and a possible red light violation were likely involved.
“I saw yellow [police] tape and saw his car bumper in the middle of the intersection,” the victim’s wife, Regan Porter, recalled in tears. “I’m on the phone with his little brother and I said, ‘I think I found him.’”
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Jesse Garza is seen with family. (Garza Family) -
Jesse Garza is seen with his wife and two children. (Garza Family) -
Emergency crews respond to a fatal crash in Diamond Bar on March 4, 2025. (KNN) -
Emergency crews respond to a fatal crash in Diamond Bar on March 4, 2025. (KNN) -
The victim’s wife, Regan Porter, speaks to KTLA about her husband as friends and family work to raise money at a car wash fundraiser in Chino on March 8, 2025. (KTLA) -
A makeshift memorial honoring Jesse Garza. (Garza Family) -
Jesse Garza (center) is pictured with family and loved ones. Garza Family) -
The victim’s friends and family are working to raise money for his funeral by hosting a car wash fundraiser in Chino on March 8-9, 2025. (KTLA) -
The victim’s friends and family are working to raise money for his funeral by hosting a car wash fundraiser in Chino on March 8-9, 2025. (KTLA) -
The victim’s friends and family are working to raise money for his funeral by hosting a car wash fundraiser in Chino on March 8-9, 2025. (KTLA) -
Emergency crews respond to a fatal crash in Diamond Bar on March 4, 2025. (KNN) -
Jesse Garza is seen with family. (Garza Family)
Garza’s loved ones described him as a kind friend and loving father who worked hard to provide for his family. Community members are working to raise money for his funeral expenses and to support his wife and two young children.
“The flood of love and support from all my friends, family and everybody that’s coming together, it’s just very comforting,” said Vincent Garza, the victim’s father.
The victim’s mother, Vanessa Van Muysen, said that although she sympathizes with the suspect’s parents, she wants to see justice for her son’s death.
“Their son is still alive,” said Van Muysen. “They can see their son, hug their son and they can still hear his voice, but I feel like he shouldn’t have a life outside. He should be behind bars for the rest of his life.”
“It’s that feeling where you think he’s going to come home from work and you’re excited because you haven’t seen him all day, but that’s never going to happen again,” his wife said. “I’m never going to see his face again.”
On March 6, Fairchild pleaded not guilty to murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury and driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more during his arraignment. He remains in custody on $100,000 bail and has a court hearing on March 27.
Garza’s parents said they hope their son’s story serves as a reminder to never get behind the wheel while drunk or under the influence.
“They don’t realize it just takes a split-second decision to make and someone’s life is taken,” Van Muysen said.
A GoFundMe page to help Garza’s family can be found here. From March 8-9, a car wash fundraiser is being held outside Gullien’s Central Liquor at 13115 Central Avenue in Chino beginning at 8 a.m. Food and drinks will also be sold to raise proceeds.
