Gilroy and Hollister men die in crash

Tyler Fhurong, of Gilroy, and Darren Chaytor, of Hollister, were killed instantly at 5:20 a.m. on Wednesday in South Sacramento in a car accident on Interstate 5 north of Laguna Boulevard. 

 

The vehicle, a 2007 Isuzu panel truck driven by Chaytor, 31, with Fhurong, 21, in the passenger seat, collided at high speed with the rear end of a semi-truck pulling a trailer that was stopped in traffic by a previous accident that morning northbound on I-5. The driver of the semi-truck, after feeling the impact of the collision, pulled to the shoulder of the highway with the Isuzu still attached. According to the California Highway Patrol, both the driver and passenger were not wearing seatbelts, but due to speed and the location of the Isuzu’s cab and the impact with the trailer, it is not likely that either would have survived the accident.

 

Fhurong, a graduate of Christopher High School in 2014, was a former baseball and football player and was an infielder with the Gavilan College baseball team. 

 

Friends of Fhurong took to Twitter and Facebook immediately after hearing the news and expressed their condolences and shared fond memories. 

 

“I can’t believe this happened… I don’t know why bad things happen to good people, it’s unfortunate Rest In Peace,” said Alexa Larios on Facebook as she shared memories they shared in high school.

 

“RIP Tyler Fhurong,” said Damon Boyle on Facebook. “Taken way too soon. Honored to play ball and have gotten to know you back in high school.”

 

“I’ll never understand,” said @Zachloo1 on Twitter. “Condolences to the Fhurong family and everyone else affected. The epitome of a good guy. RIP Tyler.”

 

“RIP Tyler Fhurong,” said @Akber408. “Another homie let into heavens gates and into Gods hands. Prayer and Love to his family!!”

 

CHP reports that the vehicle was owned by Nor-Cal Specialties Inc. in San Jose. The company could not be reached to confirm.