The two young children who died after being ejected from a vehicle on Christmas Day on the 5 Freeway north of Castaic have been identified.
Six-year-old Jayden Preciado and 9-year-old Jorge Preciado, both from Lynwood, were confirmed as the victims, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
On Dec. 25, 2025, at 2:56 p.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Newhall Area Office received reports of a multi-vehicle crash on the northbound 5 Freeway south of Vista Del Lago Road, said Officer Carlos Burgos-Lopez, spokesperson for the CHP Newhall Area Office.
“As officers responded, additional calls came in advising that two minors were receiving CPR on scene,” Burgos-Lopez said.
Investigators determined a gold Toyota RAV4 was stopped in the center median waiting with a family member. A blue Nissan Rogue, carrying two adults and six minors, was traveling northbound on I-5 south of Vista Del Lago Road when, for an unknown reason, the driver lost control. The Nissan crashed into the rear of the Toyota, ejecting three minors from the vehicle.
Despite life-saving efforts, the Preciado children died at the scene.
The driver, 28-year-old Jorge Preciado from Long Beach, was arrested on site for felony vehicular manslaughter and booked into the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station without incident.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
“Today’s loss of two young lives is heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with the families of those involved in this tragedy. This is an important reminder that child safety seats are of utmost importance in providing safety on the roadway,” said CHP Captain Purvis.
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