Calif. Father of 9 Dead After Road-Rage Crash Led to Violent Confrontation: ‘We’re Never Going to Get Him Back’

A California family is seeking justice after a minor collision in Castro Valley escalated into a deadly roadside confrontation that took the life of a devoted father of nine.

Jason Elola, 49, was driving with his wife, their 5-month-old baby, and 5-year-old daughter on Saturday night when a dark-colored SUV rear-ended their vehicle near an Interstate 580 off-ramp by Wilbeam and Norbridge avenues, according to KTVU, ABC7, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

“We were scared. My husband got out to protect us,” said his wife, Gabrielle Elola, according to KTVU.

Their son, Angel, told the outlet: “My dad, the protector he is, wanted to make sure his wife, 5-month-old baby, and 5-year-old daughter were okay. He got out and wanted to see what the issue was.”

Investigators said a physical fight broke out between Elola and 37-year-old Martin Davis Jr. before officers arrived and found Elola gravely injured, the outlets reported. He was transported to a hospital where he later died. The coroner has not yet determined his official cause of death.

Authorities said Davis drove away but later called CHP’s non-emergency line to report his involvement and was instructed to return. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked into Santa Rita Jail, per records cited by KTVU.

However, his name no longer appeared in the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office inmate database as of Thursday, Nov. 13, per the Chronicle.

In body-camera video obtained by ABC7, Davis is heard telling officers: “I cut him off accidentally and he just plowed me, right behind me… Then he jumps in front of me. That’s when we collide. He raises his hands. As soon as he attacks me … ring him up … he hits the ground.”

Gabrielle said she didn’t see the fight itself but witnessed her husband moments later: “He was on the floor. He couldn’t see me. He couldn’t talk to me.”

“He was just protecting his family,” she later told ABC7. “He didn’t deserve this. He was taken — he was stolen from us. … Justice looks like people coming forward and being honest.”

“This person didn’t have to take my husband,” she also told KTVU. “He could have drove away. He could have done anything else — but this … you can’t just take somebody away from their family.”

Earlier that day, the family had celebrated their son’s 18th birthday in San Francisco and stopped for ice cream on their way home. “They wanted to stop for some ice cream at my dad’s favorite ice cream place he used to take us as kids — Loard’s,” Angel told KTVU.

“Something can happen so quick, and it can impact families more than you’ll ever know,” he added. “There’s nine kids and four grandkids who have been widely affected.”

At a vigil on Monday, Nov. 10, Angel said, “Not only does he deserve justice, but for our sakes as well. We deserve justice,” per ABC7.

Family members shared that Elola ran a pumpkin patch, a Christmas tree lot, and a food-truck lot in Tracy.

“He was the type of person you could count on if you needed him,” cousin Joseph Munoz told KTVU. “One of the best fathers I’ve ever seen.”

“The nicest, most inviting, loving man that anyone ever knew,” Angel added.

A GoFundMe created to help support the family with funeral expenses and daily needs describes Elola as “the heart of our family — a kind, generous and loving man who brought laughter and warmth wherever he went.”

Authorities and relatives are urging anyone who witnessed the Nov. 8 incident or has cellphone or dash-cam footage to come forward.