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Mar 12, 2025

‘He made everything more fun’: Fairfield family mourns 22-year-old killed in Napa crash - The Press Democrat

The man was a 22-year-old Fairfield resident. The family of a Fairfield motorcyclist who was killed last weekend in a crash on a Napa County road remembers the 22-year-old as a “big kid” with

The man was a 22-year-old Fairfield resident.

The family of a Fairfield motorcyclist who was killed last weekend in a crash on a Napa County road remembers the 22-year-old as a “big kid” with boundless energy and a love for people.

Jeshua Pitcher was riding northbound on Wooden Valley Road on Saturday afternoon when he lost control on a blind turn, hit the pavement and slid into the tire of a southbound Chevrolet Avalanche, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Chevrolet driver, who had been going about 45 mph, called 911 about 2:50 p.m., reporting that Pitcher was pinned beneath the truck.

California Highway Patrol officers and medical personnel responded to the crash site in eastern Napa County and provided aid, but Pitcher was pronounced dead at 3:20 p.m.

The Napa County Coroner’s Office confirmed his identity Monday after notifying his family. The CHP is investigating but said drugs and alcohol were not factors.

Pitcher was an active and extroverted person, his older sister, Sienna Garloff, said Tuesday. He loved music — especially artists like J. Cole and Tyler Childers — and musical theater. He would often sing karaoke and was the first person on the dance floor.

“He always made everything so much more fun,” Garloff said.

He was also a sci-fi fan, particularly of “Star Wars” and “Dune,” and had a soft spot for superheroes — especially those wielding bows, arrows or swords. He enjoyed weightlifting, traveling and had recently returned from a trip to Spain and France.

Garloff said her brother had a deep, goofy laugh that could be heard even in a crowded room. He always had energy to fake swordfight with her 2-year-old son and sing “Angel of Music” from “Phantom of the Opera” to her 10-month-old daughter.

“She would choose him over me,” Garloff said. “She loved him so much should just melt in his arms.”

“He would just play and play and play with them,” she added. “He would always put himself last and put my kids first.”

Pitcher graduated from Rodriguez High School in 2020 and always excelled in school, said his father, Jim Pitcher. He was a dedicated member of the English Hills Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vacaville and had given a presentation to the congregation just last week.

Jim Pitcher said his son loved to wakesurf on family boating trips to Lake Berryessa. He also snowboarded, and one of their favorite memories was a trip to Northstar Resort about six years ago, when they raced down the slopes all day.

“I couldn’t walk for three days, I was so sore,” he said, laughing.

Beyond his love for adventure, Pitcher was also sharp and business-minded. At 18, he was put in charge of overseeing the design department at CRC Builders, the family’s construction company. He quickly mastered the role, helping transition the company to a new construction management software and eventually leading his own projects.

“Dealing with business, I could discuss with him and speak to him as an equal, even though he’s 22,” Jim Pitcher said. “I can trust his judgment.”

His mother, Alysha Pitcher, said her son was generous, kind and loved being around people.

“I’m so proud of him,” she said. “He was any mother’s dream son.”

Some of Jeshua Pitcher’s friends took the week off to spend time with his family. A few gathered at the family’s home Sunday, sharing memories of how he had always been there for them — emotionally, financially and spiritually.

“Every single one of his friends said how kind he was,” Garloff said. “He made people feel so loved.”

The family’s community has also shown up with flowers, food and support.

A friend who had been riding with Jeshua Pitcher before the crash called the family immediately afterward. Jim Pitcher declined to share further details about the crash but said he and his family are devastated.

“I’ll miss him till the day I die,” he said.

You can reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @madi.smals.