Friends Remember Man Who Died Falling From Car for His Great Heart

Friends are shocked at the death of their "fun loving" friend, 19-year-old San Ramon Valley High grad Justin De Young, who was killed late Sunday night after falling from a moving SUV.

Taylor Vogel, 21, met De Young, an Alamo resident, when the two neighbors rode in the same car pool to third grade at John Baldwin elementary in Danville.

"It's terribly sad because Justin had a great heart," said Vogel, who learned of De Young's death at about 1 a.m. Monday on Facebook. "He would just befriend anybody."

Vogel remembered De Young as a fun loving person who played the guitar, was a volunteer abroad and was "into being a good person."

Vogel also said De Young was an "attention getter."

Danville Police Chief Steve Simpkins said De Young jumped onto a slow-moving Toyota Sequoia that was being driven by his friends, who were on their way to a party.

"This was a spur-of-the-moment decision," Simpkins said. "This was not a stunt of any kind. It was a split-second decision that ended very badly."

Nick Lohman, 20, met De Young about a year ago and said De Young befriended him instantly when they met at a party. Lohman said De Young had a very wide circle of friends.

"He was a genuine guy and everyone liked him," said Lohman, who said he also learned of De Young's death on Facebook Monday morning, where he saw posts that said "rest in peace Justin."

Witnesses told police that a group of teens were standing near the intersection of Del Amigo and Glen Roads behind the San Ramon Valley High sports fields when another group of teens drove up in a white SUV just before midnight.

The occupants of the car told De Young where they were going so he could meet them there, and the driver of the Sequoia began to pull away slowly. De Young then apparently decided to try to jump onto the side of the SUV and ride along with it but fell after about 75 yards, severely injuring himself. He died at the scene, Simpkins said.

Simpkins said it is not yet known whether he was killed in the fall or from being run over by the SUV or another vehicle. An autopsy will be conducted today or Tuesday.

The distraught driver was one of the people who called 911, police said. Simpkins said the driver was not under the influence. A toxicology test will be conducted on De Young.

Police are still interviewing witnesses in the neighborhood.

A celebration of Justin De Young's life is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 20th at 11 a.m. at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church at 1550 Diablo Rd. in Danville.

Anyone with information about the accident can contact the Danville Police Department at 925-314-3700.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.