Lebec, CA – Two Children Killed in Christmas Day Crash on I-5, Driver Arrested on Child Endangerment Charges
Tragedy struck on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, when two children were killed in a devastating crash on Interstate 5 near Lebec, California. The collision occurred just before 3 p.m. on northbound I-5, just south of Vista Del Lago Road, in the area known as the Grapevine. A gold Toyota RAV4, stopped in the center median while the driver waited with a family member, was rear-ended by a blue Nissan Rogue. The Nissan, which was carrying two adults and six children, lost control for unknown reasons and crashed into the stopped vehicle. Despite the efforts of first responders, two of the children—9-year-old Jorge Preciado and 6-year-old Jayden Preciado—tragically died at the scene.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that three children were ejected from the Nissan during the collision, and two of them, Jorge and Jayden, suffered fatal injuries. The incident has left the community in shock, with family members, first responders, and the public mourning the loss of the young lives. While the exact relationship between the driver and the children has not been publicly clarified, CHP officials confirmed that the driver of the Nissan, 28-year-old Jorge Everardo Preciado of Bellflower, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of felony child endangerment. Preciado was later booked into the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station in Santa Clarita, and he was released on a $50,000 bond on December 28. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the crash, including whether speed, weather, or driver inattention played a role.
Captain Bob Purvis of the CHP described the deaths as “heartbreaking” and stressed the importance of using proper child restraints. “Child safety seats are of utmost importance in protecting young passengers,” Purvis said, urging drivers to be vigilant in securing children while on the road. The loss of Jorge and Jayden has been a devastating blow to their family, and a GoFundMe fundraiser set up in their memory had raised nearly $19,000 toward a $30,000 goal by December 31. The funds will go toward the children’s funeral expenses and helping their grieving family. As the investigation continues, the community remains focused on supporting the family during this incredibly difficult time and finding answers as to why the Nissan lost control, resulting in the deaths of two innocent children.
