‘He was a mama’s boy’: Family mourns 17-year-old killed in California crash

OROVILLE, Calif. — A family is grappling with an unimaginable loss after 17-year-old Michael Mallinson Jr. was tragically killed in a multi-vehicle crash last Saturday. Described by his father as a devoted “mama’s boy,” the recent high school graduate with dreams of becoming a barber is being remembered as a cherished son, a protective older brother, and a loyal friend.

The fatal collision occurred around 2:15 p.m. on June 15, 2025, along Highway 70, south of Laurellen Road in Marysville. According to the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, the crash involved the sedan Mallinson Jr. was in and a pickup truck. Two other individuals also lost their lives in the crash.

“He was a mama’s boy through and through,” Michael Mallinson Sr. shared with reporters, his voice heavy with grief. “An almost 6’4″ grown man, but he always carried his baby blanket. It was with him in the accident.”

The family said Michael Jr., from Oroville, had just completed his high school education and was excited about his future. He had a passion for giving haircuts and had recently received a pair of clippers from his father, which he used to practice on him.

Beyond his career aspirations, Michael Jr.’s family remembers him as a young man with a big heart and a healthy appetite. His father fondly recalled his son’s love for good food and his encyclopedic knowledge of the UFC. He was also known for his sense of style, with a particular fondness for new shoes.

The crash, which remains under investigation, also claimed the lives of two others and left several injured. The devastating incident has sent ripples of sorrow through the Oroville community, leaving friends and loved ones to mourn the sudden and profound loss of a young man on the cusp of adulthood.