TURLOCK, Calif. — Three family members are among the four people killed Sunday morning in a crash south of Turlock. They were identified Monday morning.
According to the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office, Turlock residents Daniel Lourenco, 44, and his wife Jennifer Lourenco, 45, were killed. Their daughter, Madelynn Lourenco, 16, also died.
Uriel Guizar Negrete, 22, the driver of the 2008 Infiniti sedan that crashed into the Lourenco's Jeep SUV was also identified among those killed.
Jennifer Lourenco was an education specialist teacher at Sinclear Elementary School, according to the Ceres Unified School District.
“While we are still processing this unimaginable tragedy, our hearts go out to members of the Lourenco family and their loved ones,” the district said in a statement Sunday night. “Mrs. Lourenco was a moderate-severe teacher at Sinclear Elementary School and was Sinclear’s Teacher of the Year in 2023-24. She was a gifted and dedicated educator and a beloved colleague whose loss will be deeply felt throughout the school community. The district has counseling services available at Sinclear and all other CUSD schools for any students and staff who need support.”
Pitman High School, in the Turlock Unified School District, published its own statement.
“As many in our community may already be aware, on Sunday morning a Pitman family was involved in a fatal traffic collision,” the statement said. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our hearts go out to this family and their loved ones during this very difficult time. Pitman will have counselors and chaplains to support students, faculty and staff throughout the week. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Just before 9:30 a.m. Sunday, the Infiniti was speeding when it collided with the Jeep at the intersection of Highway 165 and Greenway Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Jeep carrying the Lourencos was going west on Greenway Avenue, stopped at the stop sign at Highway 165, then entered the intersection in front of the Infiniti, according to CHP Modesto spokesman Officer Tim Olsen. The Infiniti then struck the the Jeep. All the Jeep passengers were wearing their seat belts, law enforcement said.
Negrete was not wearing his seat belt and died at the scene, Olsen said. Daniel and Jennifer Lourenco also succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
Madelynn Lourenco, was taken to the hospital but later died from injuries, the CHP said. Two additional Jeep passengers, a 19-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy, both from Turlock, were taken to the hospital with major injuries.
It is unclear if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.
