19-year-old fighting for her life is sole survivor of family of 5 hit by speeding driver
TURLOCK, Calif. (KCRA) - A 19-year-old fighting for her life in the hospital is the sole survivor of a family of five who were hit by a speeding driver on their way to church.
The Lourenco family was on the way to church around 9:25 a.m. Sunday when a speeding sedan broadsided their Jeep as they were crossing an intersection in the Turlock area, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Daniel Lourenco, 44, and 45-year-old Jennifer Lourenco died at the scene, CHP said. Their 16-year-old daughter, Madelynn Lourenco, died in the hospital shortly after the crash.
Two other siblings – 14-year-old Matthew Lourenco and 19-year-old Emma Lourenco – were hospitalized in critical condition. The former died from his injuries days after the crash, the CHP confirmed Friday.
The 19-year-old who survived the crash is still recovering in the intensive care unit.
“We are still asking for prayers and thoughts,” said Jennifer Lourenco’s brother, Jason McClelland. “Our oldest niece, the one who is still fighting on in the hospital, will likely need a lot of long-term care.”
McClelland says he is heartbroken following the crash. His sister was a beloved teacher at Sinclear Elementary School and was even named teacher of the year for 2023 to 2024, according to a statement from the Ceres Unified School District.
“Jennifer… just had an ability to be able to reach people and see the best side and bring the best side out of them,” McClelland said. “Daniel was the best husband. He raised an amazing family of all good kids.”
Both Madelynn and Matthew Lourenco were students at Pittman High School.
“Maddie had a smile that would just light up the room. She was the social butterfly of that family,” McClelland said. “Matthew was just a goofy boy in a great way. He loved soccer. He just took up cross country running this year, and he loved it. He ran with his heart out, just really trying to get better. No matter what it was, he always wanted to push himself.”
McClelland says the family intends to donate Matthew’s organs to five people, giving them a second chance at life, according to a GoFundMe set up to help with funeral expenses and medical costs. More than $76,000 had been raised, as of late Sunday.
The CHP identified the other driver involved in the crash as 22-year-old Uriel Guizar Negrete. He died at the scene.
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