Full Notification

NEWS RELEASE
Release Date: January 7, 2016
Modesto Police Department
Media Relations Unit
Office of the Chief of Police
600 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Author: Heather Graves

Modesto, CA – One motorcyclist is injured and one is dead following a collision in downtown Modesto.

At approximately 10:15 p.m. last night, a sergeant working patrol noticed a group of about ten motorcyclists racing around the downtown area. A traffic stop was initiated as the group approached a red light northbound 10th Street at K Street. The motorcyclists immediately sped away and the sergeant did not pursue. The group turned east on K Street where they ran a red light at 14th Street. Three of the motorcyclists collided with a 2-door sedan that entered the intersection on a green light.

Immediately following the collision, one of the riders fled the scene. Cipriano Cerna Jeronimo, 27 years old of Merced, was taken to a local hospital and treated for a knee injury. The third man, identified as 31-year-old Ubaldo Valdivias of Ceres, succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The driver of the sedan was uninjured.

As a standard practice in a fatal vehicle collision, the Modesto Police Department Traffic Unit has initiated a comprehensive investigation. This investigation is in the early stages and witness statements as well as physical evidence are being thoroughly evaluated before any collision factor or cause will be determined.

If you have any information regarding this collision, please call Crime Stoppers at 209- 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters may also text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

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