The Turlock Police Department is looking to speak with a witness to a collision Monday night that resulted in the death of a Denair man.

Around 8 p.m. Monday, the Turlock Police Department was dispatched to the 1200 block of W. Taylor Road for a report of an injury traffic collision involving a motorcycle and another vehicle.

Upon arrival, personnel performed lifesaving measures on the motorcyclist who had sustained serious injuries. The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to the injuries he received in the collision. The deceased was identified as Rodolfo Fernandez, 54, of Denair.

Turlock Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Preliminary indications are that the driver of a Mazda 3, a 33-year-old man from Ceres, exited the parking lot of Taylor ER Veterinary Emergency Hospital and began to drive west on Taylor Road. Soon after entering the roadway, the Mazda was struck from behind by Fernandez’s motorcycle, which was also heading west on Taylor Road.

The impact caused Fernandez to be ejected from the motorcycle and sustain the fatal injuries. He was wearing a helmet. The occupants of the Mazda were not injured and are cooperating with police investigation.
“As M.A.I.T. is still in the early stages of this investigation, they have not yet determined fault or cause,” said Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Russ Holeman.

Investigators are asking that any witness to this collision contact the Turlock Police Department and provide a statement. Specifically, M.A.I.T. is looking for a male driver who they have been told witnessed the collision and stopped to help those involved before leaving the scene prior to police arrival. He is described as a white male who was driving a large construction type service truck and was wearing a fluorescent green or yellow shirt.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to call Officer Greg Roton at 668-6536. People can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.