Matthew Castellanos La Crosse IN Car Accident: Obituary – Diesel Technician at Tazco Redi-Mix Concrete and Kraft Auction Service Dies, Leaving Fiancée Ash Herma and Children Marley Lyn, Jaxson Reese, Ashlyn.

‘He Put Everyone First’: Matthew Castellanos, Beloved Father, Fiancé, and Diesel Technician, Killed in La Crosse Car Accident

LA CROSSE, Indiana – April 14, 2026 – A small, tight-knit community in northwestern Indiana is grieving the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Matthew Castellanos, a 34-year-old diesel technician and mechanic whose life was tragically cut short in a car accident. Castellanos, a resident of La Crosse, was known throughout the region as a hardworking, skilled tradesman who took immense pride in his work — but those closest to him say his true legacy lies in the love and devotion he showed his family every single day.

The accident, details of which are still being investigated by local authorities, occurred earlier this week on a rural roadway near La Crosse. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Castellanos with critical injuries. Despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene or shortly after transport to a nearby hospital, according to preliminary reports. The La Crosse Police Department and the Porter County Sheriff’s Office have not yet released the exact cause of the crash, pending a full reconstruction and notification of all family members.

For those who knew Matthew — known to friends as “Matt” — the news has been nearly impossible to absorb. He was a man who worked with his hands, loved with his whole heart, and lived with an enthusiasm that was contagious. His sudden death has left a deep void not only for his fiancée, children, and extended family but for the entire La Crosse community, which has rallied around the family in an outpouring of grief and support.

A Life Built on Hard Work and Skill

Matthew Castellanos built his career through years of hands-on experience and an unwavering commitment to his trade. As a diesel technician and mechanic, he was the kind of worker every fleet manager dreams of: reliable, resourceful, and able to diagnose a problem with nothing more than a listen and a look. Over the years, he lent his expertise to a wide range of companies, including Kraft Auction Service, Jagad Truck Leasing, Trimac Transportation, ATS (American Trucking Solutions), Tazco Redi-Mix Concrete, Inc. , SEI Solutions, and Rush Truck Centers.

Colleagues from these companies have come forward to share their memories of Matthew. Many describe him as the guy who would stay late to help a stranded driver, who never cut corners, and who took genuine pride in a job well done.

“Matt wasn’t just a mechanic; he was an artist with a wrench,” said Darrell Higgins, a former supervisor at Tazco Redi-Mix Concrete. “We had trucks that other shops said were junk. Matt would spend hours, sometimes days, getting them back on the road. He never complained. He just loved the challenge. And he loved knowing that his work kept people safe.”

At Kraft Auction Service, where Matthew worked on heavy equipment and auction vehicles, he was known as the go-to person for anything with an engine. “If Matt said a tractor was ready to sell, you knew it was ready,” said owner Bill Kraft. “He had integrity. He wouldn’t let anything leave the lot unless it was right. That’s rare in this business.”

A Devoted Father and Fiancé

As skilled as Matthew was under the hood, his family and friends insist that his greatest focus was always the people he loved. He is survived by his three children — Marley Lyn Castellanos, Jaxson Reese, and Ashlyn — and his beloved fiancée, Ash Herma. Those close to the family describe Matthew as a caring and protective figure who consistently put others before himself.

“Matt was the kind of dad who never missed a school play, a soccer game, or a chance to make his kids laugh,” said family friend and neighbor, Rachel Miller. “He would come home covered in grease, dead tired, and still get down on the floor to play with Jaxson. He read bedtime stories to Marley Lyn every single night. Ashlyn was his little shadow. Those kids were his whole world.”

His fiancée, Ash Herma, has been described as heartbroken but strong, leaning on family and friends to navigate the sudden loss of her partner and the father of her children. In a brief statement released through a family spokesperson, Ash said: “Matt was my rock. He loved us so fiercely. I don’t know how we go on without him, but I know he would want us to be strong for the kids. We will carry him with us every day.”

The couple had been planning a wedding for later this year. Friends say Matthew had already picked out his suit and was secretly learning a choreographed first dance. “He was so excited to marry Ash,” said his cousin, Danielle Castellanos. “He used to say, ‘I finally got it right.’ And he did. They were perfect together.”

A Passion for Racing and Living Life to the Fullest

Outside of work and family, Matthew had a passion that lit him up: racing. Whether it was dirt track racing at local speedways or watching NASCAR on weekends, he loved the roar of engines, the smell of burnt rubber, and the thrill of competition. He wasn’t just a spectator; he worked on race cars for friends, helped crew for local drivers, and dreamed of building his own stock car someday.

“Matt lived for Friday nights at the track,” said longtime friend Tony Rivas. “He knew every driver, every car number, every engine setup. He would spend hours under a hood just to shave a tenth of a second off a lap time. Racing was his escape, his joy. When he was at the track, he was the happiest version of himself.”

That enthusiasm carried into everyday life. Matthew embraced life with an energy that drew people to him. He loved barbecues, bonfires, country music, and telling stories that left everyone laughing. He was known for his loyalty, his compassion, and his ability to make those around him feel supported and valued — even strangers.

“I met Matt at a gas station once when my truck broke down,” recalled a woman named Kara Simmons, who posted a tribute on social media. “He didn’t know me from Adam, but he spent an hour helping me get it started, refused to take money, and just said, ‘Pay it forward.’ That was him. That was pure Matt.”

The Tragic Accident: What We Know

The car accident that claimed Matthew Castellanos’s life occurred on a rural stretch of road near La Crosse, a small town in Porter County with a population of just over 500. While officials have not released a full report, early indications suggest that the crash was single-vehicle in nature, though this has not been confirmed. Weather conditions at the time were reportedly clear, and there is no immediate indication of impairment.

The Porter County Coroner’s Office has conducted an autopsy, and results are pending. The family has been notified, and funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.

The La Crosse Volunteer Fire Department, which responded to the scene, posted a brief message on social media: “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a member of our community. Please keep the Castellanos family in your prayers.”

Community Mourning: ‘A Void That Cannot Be Filled’

In the days since the accident, the La Crosse community has come together in remarkable ways. A memorial has been placed at the site of the crash — a small wooden cross adorned with flowers, a die-cast race car, and a pair of mechanic’s gloves. Friends have organized a meal train for Ash and the children, and a GoFundMe campaign has been established to help with funeral expenses and to set up education funds for Marley Lyn, Jaxson, and Ashlyn.

As of this writing, the campaign has raised over $18,000, with donations coming not only from Indiana but from former colleagues across the country who had worked with Matthew at various trucking and auction companies.

“Matt was the kind of guy who would give you his last dollar if you needed it,” wrote one donor. “I’m proud to give back, even if it’s just a little. He deserves to be remembered.”

The local American Legion hall has offered to host a celebration of life gathering, and plans are underway for a “Matt’s Memorial Cruise” — a procession of classic cars, trucks, and race vehicles — to honor his love for all things automotive.

Remembering Matthew Castellanos: A Legacy of Love and Hard Work

Those who knew Matthew say that his death is a devastating reminder of how fragile life can be. But they also say that his memory will endure — in the laughter of his children, in the engines he kept running, and in the countless acts of kindness he performed without ever seeking recognition.

“He wasn’t flashy,” said his sister, Jessica Castellanos. “He didn’t need attention. He just wanted to take care of his family, do good work, and enjoy the simple things. A cold beer. A race on TV. His kids climbing all over him. That was enough for Matt. And because he was so content, he made everyone around him feel content too.”

As the family prepares to say their final goodbyes, they have asked for privacy but have also expressed deep gratitude for the community’s support. “We are broken,” Ash Herma said in a final message to friends. “But we are not alone. Thank you for holding us up when we can’t stand.”

Funeral Arrangements and How to Help

Funeral arrangements for Matthew Castellanos are pending and will be announced by the family through local funeral homes and social media. A public visitation and memorial service are expected to be held later this week in La Crosse, with a private burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the GoFundMe campaign for the children’s education funds, or to a local racing scholarship that Matthew had quietly supported for years — a fitting tribute to a man who found freedom and joy behind the wheel and under the hood.

Final Tribute

Matthew Castellanos lived a life defined not by wealth or fame, but by love, loyalty, and a relentless work ethic. He was a father, a partner, a mechanic, a racer, and a friend. His hands fixed engines, but his heart fixed people.

He leaves behind a family that adored him, a community that respected him, and a legacy that will be carried forward in every child’s smile and every engine that roars to life.

Rest in peace, Matt. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. Keep racing among the stars.

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Note to readers: If you wish to support the family of Matthew Castellanos, the verified GoFundMe page can be found by searching “Matthew Castellanos Memorial Fund” or through links shared on the La Crosse Community Facebook page. For those struggling with grief, support is available through Porter County’s crisis line at (219) 465-5859.

In Loving Memory of Matthew Castellanos
Devoted father, beloved fiancé, skilled technician, and true friend.