A devastating crash in Stanislaus County has claimed the lives of four members of the Lourenco family and the driver of another vehicle. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when the family was driving to church. At approximately 9:25 a.m., their Jeep was struck by a speeding sedan at the intersection of Greenway Avenue and Highway 165 in the Turlock area, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Daniel Lourenco, 44, and his wife, Jennifer Lourenco, 45, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their 16-year-old daughter, Madelynn, succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. On Friday, the family confirmed that their 14-year-old son, Matthew, also died after fighting for his life for several days.
The driver of the sedan, identified as 22-year-old Uriel Guizar Negrete, was also killed in the crash. Investigators noted that everyone in the Lourenco family’s vehicle had been wearing seat belts, while Negrete had not.
A 19-year-old teenager from the Lourenco family survived the collision and remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit.
Jennifer Lourenco was a beloved teacher at Sinclear Elementary School, where she had been named Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024. In a statement, the Ceres Unified School District described her as a “gifted and dedicated educator” who was cherished by colleagues and students. Both Madelynn and Matthew Lourenco were students at Pittman High School, where their deaths have deeply affected the school community.
The intersection where the crash occurred has been described by residents as a dangerous area prone to accidents. Since January 2023, six crashes have been reported at the intersection of Greenway Avenue and Highway 165, three of which resulted in injuries.
The tragedy has renewed community calls for safety improvements at the intersection as residents mourn the lives lost in the crash. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.