On Wednesday, November 17th, 2021, at 4:54 pm, the Turlock Police Department, Turlock Fire Department, and American Medical Response were dispatched to a reported vehicle collision with injuries at the intersection of Lander Ave and 9th St, Turlock.

When crews arrived on scene, they located a single vehicle involved. The vehicle was a gray GMC pickup truck which had struck a pedestrian, later identified as Martha Barajas, 66, of Turlock.

The gray GMC pickup truck had three occupants, a driver and two passengers, all of which were uninjured. When crews arrived on scene, Barajas was laying unresponsive in the middle of the roadway and an off-duty nurse was performing CPR on her. Barajas suffered major injuries and was ground transported by American Medical Response to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries at.

The gray GMC pickup truck sustained minor damage and would have been able to be driven away from the scene, however, it was authority towed to the police department to be processed for evidence.

Officers began investigating and determined that the gray GMC pickup truck was traveling northbound in the left lane of Lander Avenue, approaching Barajas, who was walking eastbound across the street in a crosswalk. For an unknown reason, the driver of the gray GMC pickup truck did not see Barajas until it was too late and he struck her.

At this point, alcohol, drugs, and speed do not appear to be a factor in the collision.

The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is encouraged to call Officer Martin Marquez at 209-668-5550 extension 6761.