A Long Beach man was charged with multiple felonies following a crash that killed two children and injured four others north of Castaic on Christmas Day.

Jorge Everardo Preciado, 28, from Long Beach, has been charged with six felonies in connection with a Christmas Day crash north of Castaic that claimed the life of 6-year-old Jayden Preciado and 9-year-old Jorge Preciado, and injured four others in the collision.

Everardo Preciado was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter and four counts of child abuse, according to court documents.

On Dec. 25, 2025, at 2:56 p.m., officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Newhall Area Office received reports of a multiple 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.

Through the CHP officers’ investigation, they determined a gold Toyota RAV4 was stopped in the center median, with the driver waiting with a family member.

A blue Nissan Rogue, which only has seatbelts for five, occupied by two adults and six minors, was traveling northbound on the I-5 south of Vista Del Lago Road and approaching the Toyota RAV4 at the time of the crash.

“For an unknown reason, the driver lost control,” Burgos-Lopez said. “The Nissan subsequently crashed into the rear of the Toyota, resulting in three minors being ejected from the Nissan.”

Despite life-saving measures, the two Preciado children succumbed to their injuries on scene. Four other minors, including the third child who was also ejected, were transported to a local hospital.

Jorge Everardo Preciado’s arraignment and plea is set for Feb. 23, according to court officials.

He was released on a 50,000 bond, according to Court officials.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.