Full Notification

On Monday, May 3, 2021, at approximately 12:37 am, the Turlock Police Department received calls of a bicyclist who had been struck by a vehicle in the 400 block of Lander Avenue. The driver of the vehicle, later determined to be Francisco Javier Castellon-Gonzalez, 22 years old, of Modesto, fled the scene while driving a white 2009 GMC pickup.

Witnesses on scene followed Castellon-Gonzalez in their vehicle and attempted to get him to pull over. Castellon-Gonzalez refused and led them out into the county and eventually crashed as a result of losing control of his vehicle on Crows Landing Rd. Castellon-Gonzalez also fled from that collision, on foot, and was not immediately apprehended.

The bicyclist, later determined to be Juan Moralez, 50 years old, of Turlock, suffered life threatening injuries as a result of being struck by the pickup. Initial arriving Officers began CPR and were soon relieved by Turlock Fire Department employees and ambulance staff. Despite their best efforts, Moralez later succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a local area hospital.

Through the course of the investigation, Castellon-Gonzalez was positively identified as the responsible driver. He was contacted and he agreed to come into the Turlock Police Department to provide a statement. Castellon-Gonzalez was interviewed, arrested and booked at the Stanislaus County Jail on Monday, May 3, 2021, initially on charges of hit and run causing injury. Investigators later added charges of vehicular manslaughter after learning Moralez had died as a result of the collision.

This was a coordinated investigation with members of the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I. T.), Investigators from the Special Investigation Unit (S.I.U.) and Turlock Police Detectives that lasted over eighteen hours, from when initial collision occurred on Monday morning.

The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information call Officer Richard Fortado at (209) 664-7399. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at [email protected].

The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.

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This information is being released by Turlock Police Department Sergeant Michael Parmley.

Any media requests should contact:
Sergeant Michael Parmley
Office of Professional Standards
Turlock Police Department
Office phone - (209) 664-7345
Email – [email protected]