People v. Castro CA6

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2

A. Facts and Charges In the afternoon of March 21, 2022, Martin E.3 was driving on highway 68 towards Salinas when he observed a dark van—later identified as Castro’s green van—driving “uncomfortably close” behind him in the fast lane. Martin changed lanes to allow the van to pass. After passing Martin’s car, Castro’s van struck Joel M.’s vehicle from behind while Joel was stopped at a light at the corner of Highway 68 and

2 We set forth the relevant facts from the trial evidence in the light

most favorable to the jury’s verdict. (People v. Luo (2017) 16 Cal.App.5th 663, 668, fn. 2; People v. Campbell (2020) 51 Cal.App.5th 463, 469.) 3 We refer to nonlaw enforcement witnesses by first name and the first

initial of their last name and subsequently by first name only to protect their privacy interests. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.90(b)(10).) 2 Blanco Road. Castro struck Joel’s vehicle “[v]ery hard,” injuring Joel’s right shoulder and propelling Joel’s vehicle into another vehicle (the first collision). Martin witnessed the accident. Castro did not stop following the first collision but proceeded straight through the intersection and…