THE DALLES – A joyful trip to Oregon to visit friends and save money for his daughter’s fourth-birthday celebration in Mexico ended in tragedy Friday when 32-year-old Hugo Francisco Magaña Castrejon was killed in a single-vehicle rollover on Interstate 84.
Oregon State Police say the crash happened around 2:15 a.m. near milepost 85, east of The Dalles. Hugo was riding in a 2008 Honda Odyssey with four other men when the driver fell asleep, drifted off the roadway, and the van rolled several times. Hugo, who was asleep in the back and not wearing a seatbelt, was partially ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.
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The driver and three other passengers were transported to Mid-Columbia Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Hugo had been working seasonal orchard jobs in the Gorge for the past month, planning to fly home to his wife and three young children in Michoacán next week in time for his little girl’s birthday party. Friends say he had already bought her a pink princess dress and was counting the days.
“He kept showing us pictures of his kids on his phone and saying ‘One more week and I’m home with my babies,’” coworker José Ramirez told reporters outside the hospital. “He was the hardest worker and the happiest dad you ever met.”
By Saturday afternoon, a GoFundMe titled “Bring Hugo Home to His Children” had raised more than $48,000 in 24 hours to cover the $12,000–$15,000 cost of international repatriation and funeral expenses in Mexico.
“Hugo deserved to be buried with his family surrounding him, the same way he always surrounded everyone with love,” the page reads.
A rosary and viewing will be held Wednesday evening at Spencer, Libbey & Powell Funeral Home in The Dalles. His body will then be flown to Morelia, Mexico, for burial next weekend.
Hugo’s wife Marisol posted a single photo Sunday morning: Hugo kissing their daughter on the forehead, captioned in Spanish, “Te esperamos en casa, mi amor.” (We’re waiting for you at home, my love.)
The Gorge lost a brother. Three little kids lost their hero.
Rest in peace, Hugo. Your princess dress is on its way. 🕊️🇲🇽❤️