A 48-year-old man from Paso Robles died on Sunday evening, May 10, 2026, following a single-vehicle crash in northern San Luis Obispo County. Matthew Owen Baumgardner was a rear-seat passenger in a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro traveling westbound on Nacimiento Lake Drive near Frazier Road.
The incident occurred around 7:19 p.m. The vehicle left the north side of the roadway for unknown reasons, then crossed both traffic lanes and struck a tree on the south side. Baumgardner succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The driver, 44-year-old Joseph Mitchell Pate of Paso Robles, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following the crash. He sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
A 41-year-old front-seat passenger from Paso Robles suffered minor injuries. The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate, including whether toxicology results will reveal additional factors. No other vehicles were involved.
Baumgardner’s death has left family, friends, and the Paso Robles community in grief. Authorities have not released additional personal details about him beyond his age, residence, and role as a passenger. He was a local resident, and his loss is felt deeply in the tight-knit area of San Luis Obispo County.
The crash occurred in a rural section of the county near Lake Nacimiento. The CHP is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact their office. The investigation remains ongoing. The driver’s arrest on suspicion of DUI has prompted renewed calls for awareness about the dangers of impaired driving on local roadways.
Baumgardner was 48 years old. No funeral arrangements have been publicly announced. The family has requested privacy. Anyone wishing to honor his memory may reach out to local community contacts in Paso Robles. The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of impaired driving in rural areas. The CHP continues to gather evidence. No further details have been released.
