Hundreds gather in Turlock to remember 3 family members killed in crash
TURLOCK – Hundreds gathered outside of Pitman High School in Turlock for a candlelight vigil Wednesday night, remembering three members of the Lourenco family killed in a crash on Sunday.
Jennifer, Daniel and their 16-year-old daughter, Maddie, lost their lives while the family's 19-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son remain in the hospital in critical condition.
The deadly crash happened as the family was on their way to church when their car collided with another vehicle.
This tragedy deeply impacted this community and that was on full display Wednesday night just based on the number of people who gathered and offered support for the family and friends.
It was held outside of Pitman High School where two of the family's teenage children attended.
Students, parents, and administrators attended, with many taking a moment to share memories of the family.
But it also served as a way for the community to come together and pray for 19-year-old Emma and 14-year-old Matthew who remain in the hospital.
Many people who knew the Lourenco family well said the family was well-known throughout the community, especially at Pitman High School, the FFA program and within their church.
Jennifer was also a teacher in Ceres.
"They were basically role models for everybody," said Tony Silveira. "They're very close. They have a large extended family and it's hard to find a family that doesn't know them and how they are with everybody."
The crash happened on Sunday morning at the intersection of Lander and Greenway avenues.
The other driver, identified as 22-year-old Uriel Guizar-Negrete of Modesto, was also killed.