CASTRO VALLEY, CA - A father of nine was killed in an apparent road rage attack after his car was struck near an Interstate 580 ramp, according to authorities and his family.
The father, 49-year-old Jason Elola, was driving with his wife and two young children Sunday, November 9, when an SUV hit their vehicle, prompting him to get out and confront the driver, Local12 reported. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office said that Elola was severely injured in a fight with the other driver, who has been identified as 37-year-old Martin Davis Jr.
Elola later died at the hospital. "He was just protecting his family. He was protecting his family. He was just protecting his daughters and me. I think anybody can understand that. Anybody would do that for their family. That's what he did," Gabrielle Elola, his wife, said.
The family had been celebrating their son's 18th birthday and had stopped for ice cream before the confrontation. Their son, Angel Elola, said they just want justice for their father. "Not only does he deserve justice, but for our sakes as well," he said.
Davis reportedly left after the fight but called the police to report the incident. He was told to return to the scene and was arrested on suspicion of murder. Davis was later released from custody pending investigation. Investigators believe witnesses may have recorded the confrontation and urged anyone with video to contact authorities. Davis was expected to appear in court on Thursday, November 13.
"He was a good man. He didn't deserve this," said Gabrielle. "He was taken. He was stolen from us. So that is what justice looks like for us: people come forward. And just find it in your heart to be honest. That is all we can ask."
Their son, Angel, said he believes his father may have suffered a head injury, though the coroner will determine the official cause of death, FOX2 reported. "I cut him off accidentally, and he just plowed me, right behind me. All the way through here, right to here. Then he jumps in front of me. That's when we collide," Davis could be heard telling officers in a video obtained by ABC7.
"He raises his hands. As soon as he attacks me ... ring him up ... he hits the ground," he added. Family members said Elola was a devoted father and community figure who ran a pumpkin patch, Christmas tree lot, and a food truck lot, PEOPLE reported. "He was the type of person you could count on if you needed him," cousin Joseph Munoz said. "One of the best fathers I've ever seen."
A GoFundMe was launched to support the family with funeral expenses and daily costs. The write-up on there describes Elola as "the heart of the family. A kind, generous, and loving man who brought laughter and warmth everywhere he went."
The father, 49-year-old Jason Elola, was driving with his wife and two young children Sunday, November 9, when an SUV hit their vehicle, prompting him to get out and confront the driver, Local12 reported. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office said that Elola was severely injured in a fight with the other driver, who has been identified as 37-year-old Martin Davis Jr.
Elola later died at the hospital. "He was just protecting his family. He was protecting his family. He was just protecting his daughters and me. I think anybody can understand that. Anybody would do that for their family. That's what he did," Gabrielle Elola, his wife, said.
The family had been celebrating their son's 18th birthday and had stopped for ice cream before the confrontation. Their son, Angel Elola, said they just want justice for their father. "Not only does he deserve justice, but for our sakes as well," he said.
Davis reportedly left after the fight but called the police to report the incident. He was told to return to the scene and was arrested on suspicion of murder. Davis was later released from custody pending investigation. Investigators believe witnesses may have recorded the confrontation and urged anyone with video to contact authorities. Davis was expected to appear in court on Thursday, November 13.
"He was a good man. He didn't deserve this," said Gabrielle. "He was taken. He was stolen from us. So that is what justice looks like for us: people come forward. And just find it in your heart to be honest. That is all we can ask."
Their son, Angel, said he believes his father may have suffered a head injury, though the coroner will determine the official cause of death, FOX2 reported. "I cut him off accidentally, and he just plowed me, right behind me. All the way through here, right to here. Then he jumps in front of me. That's when we collide," Davis could be heard telling officers in a video obtained by ABC7.
"He raises his hands. As soon as he attacks me ... ring him up ... he hits the ground," he added. Family members said Elola was a devoted father and community figure who ran a pumpkin patch, Christmas tree lot, and a food truck lot, PEOPLE reported. "He was the type of person you could count on if you needed him," cousin Joseph Munoz said. "One of the best fathers I've ever seen."
A GoFundMe was launched to support the family with funeral expenses and daily costs. The write-up on there describes Elola as "the heart of the family. A kind, generous, and loving man who brought laughter and warmth everywhere he went."
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