Public Safety · Modesto, CA
Nicole Cotzojay, 15, died Sunday from injuries sustained in a Friday-night pedestrian collision at approximately 8:50 p.m. in the 1100 block of Coffee Road near Downey High School in Modesto. She was struck alongside Camila Mendoza Magallon, 16, a fellow Modesto High School student who died Saturday. Police say the driver, traveling south on Coffee Road, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators; a drug evaluation found no signs of impairment. The investigation continues, with police reviewing surveillance video. Modesto City Schools Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago announced counseling resources for students and staff affected by the deaths.
Crime · Turlock, CA
Anthony James Wyatt-Trent, 35, of Turlock pleaded not guilty Oct. 12 in Stanislaus County Superior Court to two counts of contacting a minor for sexual offenses and one count of sending harmful material to a minor, charges stemming from an online investigation by YouTuber JiDion's team. Prosecutors allege he offered to sell marijuana and cocaine near a local elementary school and sent sexually explicit material to someone he believed was 13 years old. Judge Shaundeep Wahid set bail at $450,000, citing danger to the community, and scheduled a detention hearing for Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 4. The complaint includes an enhancement allegation that Wyatt-Trent committed the offenses while released on bail in a separate felony case.
Public Safety · Stanislaus County
A vegetation fire dubbed the Fine Fire has burned approximately 100 acres at the north tip of Stanislaus County near the Calaveras County line, east of Milton Road, according to the Cal Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit. The blaze was reported just before 2 p.m. on Oct. 12, spreading north with a moderate rate of spread and zero containment. Crews were making progress and both tankers had been placed on hold at the airbase. The California Highway Patrol was requested for traffic control near Milton and Rock Creek roads south of the community of Milton.
Public Safety · Turlock, CA
Jameson Hendrix, a 14-year-old freshman at Turlock High School, was killed Saturday afternoon around 5:30 p.m. in a collision while riding an electric motorcycle near Tokay Avenue and Old Vineyard Road in Turlock, California. Turlock Police officers found the boy not breathing and performed CPR until fire personnel arrived, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle cooperated with investigators, who do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved; the circumstances remain under investigation. Turlock High Principal Sharile Abbasi notified families and announced counseling services on campus, while a GoFundMe page supports the family's funeral expenses. Police issued a reminder to parents about risks associated with e-motos and high-powered electric vehicles.
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Public Safety · Oakdale, CA
A 70-year-old woman, identified by the Stanislaus County Coroner's Office as Sherry Comden, was pronounced dead at the scene of an apartment fire on Willowood Drive and F Street in Oakdale around 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, but Comden was found unresponsive inside the unit. The Oakdale Police Department said investigators believe the fire was accidental, noting Comden was a heavy smoker who also used supplemental oxygen, though the cause has not been confirmed and the investigation continues.
Public Safety · Modesto, CA
A second teenage girl, 15-year-old Nicole Cotzojay, died at a hospital Monday after being struck by a car Friday night while crossing Coffee Road near Downey High School in Modesto. Sixteen-year-old Camila Mendoza Magallon died at the scene; both were students at Modesto High School. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs played a role, and the driver is cooperating with the investigation. The crash comes amid a spate of traffic fatalities—Modesto police say at least five pedestrians or bicyclists have been killed in 10 days—and Captain Chris Adams pledged to increase traffic enforcement.
Public Safety · Modesto, CA
A second teenager has died following a crash near Downey High School in Modesto, California. In the ten days leading up to this incident, five pedestrians or bicyclists have been killed across four separate crashes involving cars in Modesto. The article does not provide specific dates, times, or circumstances for the individual crashes.
Public Safety · Modesto, CA
Nicole Cotzojay, 15, and Camila Mendoza Magallon, 16, both Modesto High School students, died after being struck by a southbound vehicle in the 1100 block of Coffee Road near Downey High School at approximately 8:50 p.m. Friday. The driver remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and a drug evaluation found no signs of impairment; police continue to review the collision and seek surveillance video. Modesto City Schools Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago announced counseling resources for students and staff and asked families to wear Panther colors Monday and Tuesday in support.
Public Safety · Modesto, CA
Nicole Cotzojay, 15, and Camila Mendoza Magallon, 16—both Modesto High School students—died after being struck by a vehicle in the 1100 block of Coffee Road near Downey High School around 8:50 p.m. Friday. Police preliminary investigation indicates the driver was traveling south on Coffee Road and hit the girls while they were in a crosswalk; the driver remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and showed no signs of impairment. Modesto City Schools Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago announced counseling resources for students and staff affected by the tragedy. Police continue to review the scene and are seeking surveillance video as the investigation proceeds.
Public Safety · Oakdale, CA
A person died Sunday afternoon after a fire broke out at the Oakridge Apartments in Oakdale, California. Firefighters were called to the two-story complex around 3:08 p.m., and the blaze was contained to a single unit on the bottom floor. The sheriff's office said the deceased has not yet been positively identified. Firefighters and investigators are working together to determine the cause.
Community News · Turlock, CA
Jameson Hendrix, a 14-year-old freshman at Turlock High School, was killed while riding an e-moto when it collided with a car on Tokay Avenue near Old Vineyard Road. Turlock police say the driver remained at the scene and drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor; the Major Accident Investigation Team has taken over the case. A memorial formed Sunday, and about 50 children gathered on bikes Saturday night to pay respects. Turlock High School announced counseling will be available for students and staff.
Public Safety · Turlock, CA
Jameson Hendrix, a 14-year-old Turlock High School freshman, was killed when his e-moto collided with a car on Tokay Avenue near Old Vineyard Road, according to Turlock police. The driver remained at the scene and drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor; the Turlock Police Major Accident Investigation Team has taken over and is asking witnesses to come forward. A memorial formed Sunday at the crash site, and about 50 children gathered on bikes Saturday night to pay their respects. Turlock High School announced counseling will be available for students and staff affected by the loss.
Public Safety · Waterford, CA
A motorcyclist died Saturday afternoon after leaving the roadway on State Route 132 in Waterford, California, according to the California Highway Patrol. No additional details about the rider's identity, the specific mile marker, or contributing factors were provided in the report.
Public Safety · Modesto, CA
Two teenage girls were struck by a car near Thomas Downey High School in Modesto on Friday night, according to their families. The two families are grieving following the incident. No further details about the teens' conditions, the driver, or an ongoing investigation were provided in the report.
Public Safety · Modesto, CA
Two families in Modesto are grieving after their teenage daughters were reportedly struck by a car near Thomas Downey High School on Friday night. The article does not specify the extent of injuries, the identity or status of the driver, or whether law enforcement has taken further action.
