4-Year-Old Girl, Reagan Herrin, Dies After Being Trapped in a Submerged Car – Details

Juliette Marie Acosta, of Oakdale, is facing several felony charges, including murder, vehicular manslaughter, child endangerment, and driving under the influence. If convicted of all these charges, she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Investigators say Acosta had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit when her vehicle crashed near Canal Bank Road outside Hickman, on March 8.

CHP Modesto office spokesperson Officer Tom Olsen said the crash occurred when Acosta veered off the road and struck a wooden electrical pole before continuing up an embankment and plunging into an irrigation canal, where the car became fully submerged.

Her uncle, who lived nearby, heard the crash and rushed to the scene, managing to pull Acosta from the vehicle. However, her daughter, Herrin, remained trapped in her car seat inside the vehicle.

Emergency services, including PHI Air Medical, Oak Valley Ambulance, and American Medical Response, arrived shortly after. Once freed, Herrin was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto with severe injuries. She died the following day.

Acosta, who appeared unhurt, reportedly showed signs of intoxication and was arrested at the scene on suspicion of felony Drinking Under the Influence (DUI). She was later booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center and subsequently released on bail.

While reports claim that Acosta was arrested on the crash scene, prosecutors allege that she was found bathing while her daughter remained in distress, a fact included in the criminal complaint as part of several aggravating circumstances. The case also highlights the vulnerability of the young victim and the failure to provide aid.

District Attorney Jeff Laugero spoke out about the case, “We recognize the significant interest the community has in this case. However, our responsibility to both the victim and the integrity of our legal system requires a thorough investigation based on the evidence and the law.”

He emphasized that his methodical approach ensures justice is pursued based on accurate information. Laugero underscored the importance of protecting the legal process and fulfilling ethical responsibilities.

Public patience and understanding, he noted, play a vital role in allowing the system to work as intended. This careful, evidence-based strategy has guided the ongoing investigation.

Laugero also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the CHP Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT), the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Dive Team, and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.

“These agencies, alongside our Bureau of Investigation, committed substantial resources to establish the facts surrounding Reagan’s death, enabling us to move forward with appropriate criminal charges,” he shared.

Meanwhile, the office of the District Attorney in Stanislaus County has urged the public, “If anyone has additional information regarding this incident, please contact California Highway Patrol Detective A. Norseen at 209-545-7440.”

For now, Acosta has been transported from San Francisco back to Stanislaus County and is currently being held without bail. While she is entitled to a bail hearing, the court will consider the severity of the charges and public safety concerns before making any decisions.

Meanwhile, Acosta’s legal team has presented a version of events that contradicts the account provided by law enforcement. They challenged key details surrounding her actions after the crash and how her arrest unfolded.

Her attorney, Gil Somera, dismissed the allegation that she was taking a bath while her daughter was trapped in the submerged vehicle. “Time-wise, you can’t go take a bath while your daughter’s drowning if it’s in her canal, not next to a home…logically, it just doesn’t make sense,” he argued.

Somera also accused prosecutors of presenting details in a way that could provoke emotional outrage rather than focus on factual evidence. He confirmed what media reports have shared, that Acosta was initially arrested at the crash scene on suspicion of DUI but was later released on bail.

The situation shifted when prosecutors filed additional charges, including murder, prompting law enforcement to take her into custody again on an early Friday morning. Authorities located Acosta at a hotel in San Francisco, where she was reportedly apprehended after an alleged attempt to flee.

Her father, Clifford Acosta Jr., was also taken into custody, with officials stating he tried to assist in her escape. Her attorney, however, denied that she was evading arrest. Somera asserted that plans were already in place for Acosta to voluntarily surrender at the California Highway Patrol office in Modesto later that morning.

He also disputed any claims of her father aiding an escape, saying he was supporting his daughter during a time of emotional and psychological distress. “Anybody who knows her father knows that he has a substantial amount of construction business in San Francisco, and he kept his daughter with her. She was also part of his business,” Somera explained.

When it comes to how the case will fair in court, Somera noted, “It’s about whether it’s a manslaughter versus a murder. And so I think the public always looks at this and says, ‘Well, you did or you didn’t do it.’ Guilt is guilt, but it’s the degree of guilt, it’s the circumstances that center around with punishment is necessary, and right now everyone wants to circle around life in prison to a mother.”

Herrin’s death has sparked both sorrow and outrage as people mourn the young life lost far too soon. The community has also come together to give her a befitting sendoff. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Trace Thomas has garnered immense support, raising over $22,400, well beyond its original $14,000 goal, as of the time of publication.

The fundraiser was created to help Herrin’s dad, Gage Herrin, and his family manage the unexpected expenses following her tragic demise.

The Herrin family has expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of kindness and support. According to the campaign, any funds remaining after covering costs will be donated back to the community in Herrin’s name, with the hope of helping prevent similar tragedies in the future.

A memorial service to honor Herrin’s life took place on March 28 at 10:00 a.m. at Turlock Memorial & Funeral Home. The family welcomed all who wished to pay their respects while emphasizing that the service was a time to honor their little girl.

As the Herrin family grapples with the devastating loss of young Reagan in California, another community across the country is mourning a heartbreaking tragedy of its own. On April 6, 2025, a mother and her four young children lost their lives in a car crash on I-95 in McIntosh County, Georgia.

The early morning collision, which occurred around 6 a.m., involved just two vehicles but left a lasting impact on the community.

According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), a rental Jeep Cherokee SUV was traveling south in the far-right lane from Raleigh, North Carolina, when it struck the back of a sedan. GSP revealed that a woman, Reagan Dougan, 27, was driving the car with her children as passengers.

Reagan was heading to meet her husband, Christian Dougan, in Florida. A witness recalled seeing the SUV hit the center guardrail before it burst into flames. Authorities stated that the rental vehicle was “traveling at a high rate of speed” early that Sunday morning.

The GSP confirmed that the five occupants of the SUV, including a nine-year-old boy, a four-year-old boy, a two-year-old girl, and a three-month-old boy, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger in the other vehicle was transported to the hospital.

Authorities closed the I-95 for four hours following the crash. An official at the scene recalled witnessing the Jeep completely burned down. He confirmed that the white Infiniti four-door sedan had been hit in the rear. The GSP emphasized that these findings were preliminary as the crash investigation remained ongoing.

Since their passing, Reagan’s loved ones in Florida and her neighbors have fondly remembered her. A Raleigh neighbor, Christopher “Jonesy” Butler-Jones, admitted, “I’m still in shock,” adding, “(Her husband) lost his entire family. It’s just heart-wrenching.”

Neighbors shared that the Dougan family was new to North Carolina, having moved a few months earlier to a bigger house in a Raleigh cul-de-sac. Loved ones said it had been about a year since Reagan and her family moved to Raleigh.

Butler-Jones remembered Reagan as a “devoted mother,” a sentiment echoed by her friends in Florida. He said, “That was one of her dreams, is to always have an amazing family and be a mother. She was very dedicated. Her kids were everything to her.”

The neighbor recalled how the late mother had been there for him and his family after 2024’s Hurricane Milton took everything from them. He shared, “When my kid came out of his room yesterday, he happened to have on the shirt, shorts, everything that was an outfit that she sent.”

Butler-Jones continued, “There was a very warm, comforting feeling. It kind of allowed me to be able to start seeing that there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.” He remembered his friend as a “very loving, and kind person,” someone you could call when upset because she would make you happy.

The neighbor concluded, “She’s going to show you the brighter side of it.” Another neighbor, Jason Flores, recalled, “We always waved to each other. She always had a smile on her face. The kids were always happy. Their food always smelled good when they cooked it.” However, they never got to spend time together as neighbors.

Flores admitted he could not fathom how they were there one day and gone the next. According to a news report, the Dougan family was described as “sweet and joyful,” with the children often playing in the family yard and the boys climbing trees.

Following the family’s death, Christian’s stepmother, Sarah Stoltman, helped create a GoFundMe account aiming to raise $35,000 on his behalf. At the time of writing, the fundraiser had reached 75 percent of its goal, amounting to $26,309.

In the fundraiser text, Stoltman explained, “While Christian works with his and Reagan’s family to begin mourning these five beautiful souls, we cannot even fathom the financial burden it is going to endure moving his family from Georgia to their final resting place in Florida.”

She revealed that the funds would help cover the funeral expenses to “ensure a dignified farewell.” Stoltman said the financial support, any amount welcome and appreciated, would help them “honor Reagan and the children’s lives and legacy.”

Tributes poured in for the family on Facebook, with Kyleah Miller sharing details of the fundraiser and confirming her sister-in-law and niece and nephews’ deaths. Miller said, “words [sic] cannot begin to describe how devastated we are.”

She revealed her brother Christian’s fundraiser, saying, “any donations or link shares would help christian out immensely during this difficult time. thank you for all of the love and support that everybody has given this beautiful family. fly high sweet angels, you will forever be so deeply loved. [sic]”

Sharing images of the Dougan family, Katrina Cusatis mourned, “My heart is completely broken over this unimaginable tragedy. I had the honor of photographing their sweet family during a maternity session this past fall — their love, joy, and connection were truly unforgettable.”

Cusatis added, “Please join me in lifting Reagan’s husband and their families in prayer as they navigate this immense loss. If you feel led, there is a GoFundMe to support them during this time.”

Cecily Corinne Borquez, Reagan’s friend, uploaded a childhood image of her and the late parent. She wrote, “Reagan Dougan You were such an amazing friend, the life of the party, an absolute blast to be around, and all around one in a million.”

Borquez continued, “How something so tragic could happen to someone so incredible, I’ll never understand. You and your family are in my thoughts. You’ll never be forgotten. May you rest in peace beautiful mama.”

The Dougan family’s passing has left an indelible mark on their community. May their memories shine brightly in the hearts of all who loved them.