Full Notification

Patterson, CA -

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is currently working to determine the cause of a fatal traffic accident in Patterson.

On Friday, June 9, 2023, at 4:41 am, patrol deputies with Patterson Police Services responded to the intersection of American Eagle and Sperry Avenue on the report of an accident involving injuries.  

Upon the arrival of all emergency first responders, to include fire, paramedics and law enforcement, they located two vehicles which had collided with one another on Sperry just to the west of its intersection with American Eagle.  The area is currently undergoing roadway construction which is delineated with signage in both east and west-bound directions.  

The first vehicle, which was identified as a 2002 BMW, was traveling west on Sperry Avenue just prior to the collision.  The second vehicle, which was identified as a 2023 Tesla, was traveling east on Sperry Ave just prior to the collision.  

It appears from the initial preliminary investigation the BMW lost control as it hit a dip in the roadway in the middle of the intersection.  The BMW was traveling at a high rate when it momentarily went airborne, struck a landscaped center median, and then collided with the Tesla prior to both cars finally coming to a stop.  The driver of the BMW has been identified as 28-year-old Newman resident Jesus Zeferino Avila.  He was unfortunately killed as a result of the traffic collision and succumbed to his injuries on-scene.  

The driver of the Tesla, a 36-year-old Patterson resident, was evaluated and released on-scene by EMT’s for a minor abrasion to the arm.  Members of the MAIT team arrived shortly after to relieve patrol and assumed control of the investigation.  

Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the wreck; however, we will await the results of an autopsy and lab toxicology results for a more conclusive opinion.  We do not anticipate the need for any type of review for possible criminal charges.  The primary collision factor and final report will take several months to be prepared and finalized.  

Members of the public are encouraged to contact Dep. Rohn at the Patterson Police Services substation should they have witness information to share with investigators.  He can be reached at 209-895-5071 or by email at [email protected].