Father of 9 killed after horrific road rage incident

What started as a joyful birthday outing with ice cream ended in tragedy.

Jason Elola, 49, a devoted husband and father of nine, was killed in a road rage incident in Castro Valley, California.

Now, his family has issued a heartbreaking plea.

Stopped for ice cream

Jason Eloa and his family had been celebrating his son Aiden’s 18th birthday in San Francisco on November 8th. On the way home, they decided to stop for ice cream at a favorite childhood spot of the family.

“They wanted to stop for some ice cream at my dad’s favorite ice cream place he used to take us as kids, Loard’s,” Jason’s eldest son, Angel Elola, told KTVU.

But the joyful evening quickly turned into tragedy. Angel said a vehicle allegedly struck the back of his father’s car as they exited the freeway.

“My dad, the protector he is, wanted to make sure his wife, five-month-old baby, and 5-year-old daughter were OK. He got out and wanted to see what the issue was,” Angel explained.

Jason, known for his calm and non-confrontational nature, was trying to de-escalate the situation.

“As he got out, it just happened really quick,” Angel said.

Critically injured

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, a fight broke out between Jason and 37-year-old Martin Davis Jr., who later turned himself in after initially leaving the scene. Jason was found critically injured and later died in the hospital.

Davis was taken into custody and booked at Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of homicide, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Angel believes a head injury may have caused his father’s death.

Gabrielle Elola, Jason’s wife, described the terrifying moments.

“When my husband went to get around him at the stoplight, he kept hitting the back of our car. We were scared. My husband got out to protect us,” she said.

She never saw the fight, only her husband lying on the ground moments later.

“I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough and run over to him. He was on the floor. He couldn’t see me. He couldn’t talk to me.”

Jason’s life and legacy have left a profound mark on his family and community.

“He was the type of person you could count on if you needed him,” said his cousin, Joseph Munoz. “I can count on one hand the people like that in my life.”

”Never going to get him back”

Angel remembered his father as a man full of love, joy, and generosity.

“The nicest, most inviting, loving man that anyone ever knew,” he said.

He urged others to pause before acting in anger, noting the ripple effect of one moment:

“Something can happen so quick, and it can impact families more than you’ll ever know. There’s nine kids and four grandkids who have been widely affected.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses and support the loved ones left behind. A vigil held at Jason’s food truck business, Street Eats 209, drew nearly 200 people who came to honor his life.

Angel described the turnout as a testament to his father’s impact: “He was a great man who’s going to have a legacy that continues forever with nine kids and four grandkids and many more to come. He brought people together and people are here now to celebrate his life.”

The Elola family is now left grappling with a loss that could have been prevented, hoping that others will pause before letting anger take control.

As Gabrielle said: “This person didn’t have to take my husband. He could have drove away. He could have done anything else — but this… You can’t just take somebody away from their family. We’re never going to get him back.”