In Loving Memory of Gideon Guy Griffin
The Angels Camp community and surrounding areas are reflecting with heavy hearts following the tragic death of 37-year-old Gideon Guy Griffin, who passed away late Thursday night, January 15, 2026, after a pursuit and subsequent crash in Tuolumne County. His passing has left family members, friends, and those who knew him grappling with the suddenness of the loss and the difficult circumstances surrounding his final moments.
Shortly after 11 p.m., deputies initiated contact with Gideon after observing behavior that raised concern near several closed businesses along Mono Way. In the aftermath of the investigation, it was learned that Gideon had an outstanding Post Release Community Supervision warrant. When deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Gideon fled, leading to a pursuit during which he traveled at high speeds and crossed into opposing lanes as he maneuvered through the darkened roadway.
The pursuit came to a tragic end in the area of Highway 108 near South Sunshine Road, where Gideon’s vehicle veered out of its designated lane, struck a traffic sign, and ultimately crashed into a ditch. Deputies immediately rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived, but despite those efforts, Gideon was pronounced deceased at the scene. The California Highway Patrol is now overseeing the investigation into the crash.
While the official reports will focus on procedures, timelines, and investigations, those mourning Gideon remember a man whose life was far more than the circumstances of his final night. Loved ones recall his humor, his talents, and the moments when his presence brought warmth into the room. Like many whose journeys are complicated, Gideon lived a life shaped by both struggle and possibility — a life that mattered deeply to the people who cared for him.
His passing is a painful reminder that every headline, every incident report, and every statistic reflects a human being with a story, a family, and a past filled with memories now preserved in grief. As those who loved Gideon navigate the difficult days ahead, they honor him by holding onto the better chapters of his life rather than the manner of his departure.
May Gideon Guy Griffin rest in peace, and may comfort find all who carry his memory forward.
