Man killed by suspected DUI driver in multi-vehicle Riverside crash

Family members are devastated after a Riverside man was killed by a suspected DUI driver who crashed into him during a high-speed collision on a busy road.

On April 16, Riverside police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Market Street between 5th Street and Mission Inn Avenue in downtown Riverside at 6:15 p.m.

The suspect, Isaac Isaiah Villalba, 19, of Redlands, had smashed into four occupied vehicles on the road, leaving a trail of destruction behind, police said.

Inside one of the cars he rear-ended was Christian Barragan, 37, of Riverside. Barragan’s Honda Civic was totaled by the high-speed impact. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Villalba, along with five other people, was transported to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to moderate. 

The suspect, who was driving a Dodge Challenger, attempted to flee the destructive scene. When officers arrived, cell phone video captured police wrestling Villalba to the ground. At one point, he fights back and attempts to run away before an officer uses a stun gun to take him down.

Family members said Barragan was driving home from work that day after covering an employee’s shift.

After his father died in 2022, Barragan had been running his family’s restaurant, Mr. Taco, located on Main Street in downtown Riverside.

“He had a big smile,” said Arturo Barragan, Christian’s brother. “Any moment, you’re always left with a smile [from him.]”

“He was a happy guy,” said Fernando Barragan, Christian’s brother. “He was always working and he never missed a game for the Dodgers.”

Christian’s siblings are mourning the devastating loss of their youngest brother while hoping the suspect remains off the streets so nobody else gets hurt.

Villalba was arrested for murder, felony hit-and-run causing injury or death, suspicion of being under the influence of drugs causing injury or death, and resisting arrest with violence.

He was later charged with second-degree murder and faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted.

A court hearing for Villalba was held Friday at a downtown Riverside courtroom where Christian’s siblings saw the man accused of killing their brother for the first time.

“He needs to know what he did to us and he needs to pay for what he did,” said Patty Mercado, Christian’s sister. “We’re here to get justice for my brother.”

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for May 2. Villalba is being held on $1 million bail.

The circumstances leading up to the fatal crash remain under investigation. Anyone with information or video of the collision is urged to contact Detective Matthew Parrish at 951-353-8177 or email [email protected].

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the “Atlas 1” mobile app by using the “Send a Message” feature. App downloads for Apple devices can be found here. Android device downloads can be found here.

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