Crime & Safety
Owner of Cindy's Waterfront Eatery Injured in Napa Crash That Claimed Life of Little Boy
Cindy Pawlcyn, who also owns Napa's Mustards Grill, and her husband, John Watanabe, were among four injured in the head-on collision Sunday afternoon.
Restaurateur Cynthia Pawlcyn, owner of Cindy's Waterfront at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, was injured Sunday in a head-on collision in Napa that claimed the life of a 4-year-old boy.
Pawlcyn, who also owns Napa's Mustards Grill, and her husband, John Watanabe, 66, of St. Helena, were among four injured in the two-vehicle accident on state Highway 121 at 3:30 p.m. in Napa County, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Lakai Kirk, 4, was killed in the crash, which occurred on Highway 121 south of Duhig Road near Napa.
Flavio Castellanos, 23, of Napa, was in a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox driving north on Highway 121 when he crossed into the southbound lane at a curved part of the road and collided head-on with a 2012 Lexus RX450, CHP Officer Jaret Paulson said.
Castellanos suffered major injuries and was taken to a local hospital in Napa, Paulson said.
[Previous story: Fatality Reported in Sunday Afternoon's Collision on Hwys 12 & 121 in Napa County.]
The 4-year-old boy, a passenger in the Chevrolet, was given first aid at the scene and was flown by helicopter to Queen of the Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Paulson said.
Lakai's 25-year-old mother Ariel Kirk suffered major injuries in the collision and was taken to a Santa Rosa hospital.
In the Lexus, Pawlcyn suffered moderate injuries and Watanabe suffered minor injuries and both were taken to Queen of the Valley hospital, Paulson said.
In addition to her Monterey eatery, Pawlcyn owns Mustards Grill in Napa, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena and a catering business.
Pawlcyn, who also owns Napa's Mustards Grill, and her husband, John Watanabe, 66, of St. Helena, were among four injured in the two-vehicle accident on state Highway 121 at 3:30 p.m. in Napa County, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Lakai Kirk, 4, was killed in the crash, which occurred on Highway 121 south of Duhig Road near Napa.
Flavio Castellanos, 23, of Napa, was in a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox driving north on Highway 121 when he crossed into the southbound lane at a curved part of the road and collided head-on with a 2012 Lexus RX450, CHP Officer Jaret Paulson said.
Castellanos suffered major injuries and was taken to a local hospital in Napa, Paulson said.
[Previous story: Fatality Reported in Sunday Afternoon's Collision on Hwys 12 & 121 in Napa County.]
The 4-year-old boy, a passenger in the Chevrolet, was given first aid at the scene and was flown by helicopter to Queen of the Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Paulson said.
Lakai's 25-year-old mother Ariel Kirk suffered major injuries in the collision and was taken to a Santa Rosa hospital.
In the Lexus, Pawlcyn suffered moderate injuries and Watanabe suffered minor injuries and both were taken to Queen of the Valley hospital, Paulson said.
In addition to her Monterey eatery, Pawlcyn owns Mustards Grill in Napa, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena and a catering business.
Pawlcyn was recently announced as a finalist in the prestigious 2014 James Beard Award as Best Restaurateur in the United States. The award ceremonies are May 5 in New York City.
She also has written cookbooks including "Grub Street San Francisco" and "Cindy's Supper Club: Meals From Around the World to Share With Family and Friends."
The crash closed Highway 121 for three hours.
This fatality was the fourth death reported on Napa/Sonoma- and Solano-area roads over the recent weekend:
-- Bay City News contributed to this report.
The crash closed Highway 121 for three hours.
This fatality was the fourth death reported on Napa/Sonoma- and Solano-area roads over the recent weekend:
- 2 Teens Killed, 3 Injured in Rollover Crash Saturday in Vacaville; Alcohol Possibly Involved. The teens reportedly left Lake Berryessa in Napa County enroute to Vacaville, and were all ejected from the vehicle in the accident.
-- Bay City News contributed to this report.
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