Sinclear Elementary School is mourning the loss of teacher Jennifer Lourenco who was killed with her husband and a daughter in a Sunday morning crash south of Turlock.
The driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash was also killed.
The crash occurred on Lander Avenue at Greenway Avenue at approximately 9:25 a.m.
According to the California Highway Patrol’s preliminary investigation, Uriel Guizar-Negrete, 22, of Sunnyside, Washington was driving a 2008 Infiniti sedan northbound on Lander Avenue at a high rate of speed when he entered the intersection of Greenway Avenue and collided with the 2023 Jeep SUV driven by Daniel Lourenco, of Turlock, the 44-year-old husband of the teacher. Lourenco had entered the intersection from westbound Greenway Avenue after proceeding from the stop sign. Lander Avenue traffic does not have to stop at the intersection. The Infiniti collided into the driver’s side of the Jeep, killing Guizar-Negrete instantly. The impact was fatal to Daniel Lourenco, and his 45-year-old wife who was in the left front passenger seat. Their 16-year-old daughter, Madelynn Lourenco of Turlock, who was riding in the back seat on the left side of the Jeep had sustained major injuries and was rushed to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto where she died.
Sustaining major injuries in the Jeep were two other Lourenco children, a 19-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son. Both were transported to local area trauma centers.
All in the Lourenco vehicle were wearing seatbelts, said the CHP which has yet to determine if drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash.
CHP Public Information Officer Tom Olsen said some witnesses to the crash estimated that the Infiniti was traveling around 100 mph. While the speed has not been verified, the Jeep was hit with such force that it was pushed approximately 150 feet from the point of impact.
Lourenco was hired by Ceres Unified School District in 2020 to teach at La Rosa Elementary School before she taught at Sinclear.
Sinclear Elementary School Principal Shane Hulin sent a message to parents notifying them of the death, writing: “It is with the heaviest heart that I share with you a devastating loss over the weekend. Our teacher, Jennifer Lourenco, and her family were involved in a vehicle collision Sunday morning. Tragically, Jennifer, her husband, Daniel, and the youngest of their two daughters did not survive. Their son and oldest daughter are being treated for major injuries.
“Jennifer taught special education students with kindness, patience, and unwavering dedication. She was a cherished colleague and friend whose warmth and positivity touched countless lives in our school community and beyond.
“Please join me in keeping the surviving Lourenco children and the family’s loved one in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
Jennifer Lourenco, who taught moderate-severe special needs students, was named “Teacher of the Year” for the 2023-24 school year.
Ceres Unified School District spokeswoman Beth Jimenez said the district is providing counseling staff and resources to Sinclear students and all other sites to help students process their grief.
“While we are still processing this unimaginable tragedy, our hearts go out to members of the Lourenco family and their loved ones,” a statement released by CUSD said. It went on to call Mrs. Lourenco a “gifted and dedicated educator and beloved colleague whose loss will be deeply felt throughout the school community.”
