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Turlock teen killed in collision
Thaily Martinez memorial
Students and staff at Turlock High School were grieving the loss of Thaily Gutierrez, 17, who lost her life in a vehicle collision Saturday night (Photo contributed).

A 17-year-old Turlock High School student was killed in a car crash Saturday night, the Turlock Police Department reported.

The police department did not release the deceased’s name, but family and friends have identified her as Thaily Gutierrez, 17, of Turlock.

“Turlock High School is grieving the loss of senior Thaily Gutierrez and our thoughts and hearts go out to her family and friends,” said THS Principal Gabe Ontiveros.

The collision that claimed Gutierrez’s life also critically injured another 17-year-old girl, according to the police department. The collision was reported shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday.

Gutierrez was a passenger in a sedan being driven by the 17-year-old girl. The sedan had stopped at a posted stop sign at the intersection of West Avenue South and Angelus Street. The intersection only has stop signs on Angelus.

The sedan was traveling west on Angelus and had stopped at the stop sign. The driver drove the car into the intersection, directly into the path of a sports utility vehicle that was headed south on West Avenue South. The driver of the SUV, an 18-year-old man, whose name was not released, did not have a stop sign at the intersection.

The SUV broadsided the sedan on the passenger side. The impact caused Gutierrez to be pinned inside the vehicle and she had to be extricated by the Turlock Fire Department.

Bystanders to the collision rushed to aid the two teen girls. The bystanders were able to pull the driver from the vehicle and began giving her CPR, which resulted in her regaining consciousness at the scene, according to the police department.

Both of the teen girls were seriously injured in the collision and were rushed to a local hospital by ambulance. Gutierrez died from her injuries a few hours after the collision, the police department reported. The 17-year-old driver is currently in stable, but serious condition.

The driver of the SUV did not require medical attention, remained on scene and is being cooperative with the investigation. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this incident, however, speed does, according to the police department.

THS had counselors from Jessica’s House on campus and the school is planning a memorial for Gutierrez. In addition to being a student, Gutierrez worked as an office assistant at the high school.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact Officer Jake Young at (209) 668-1200. To remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636, you may be eligible for a cash reward. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 6 68-5550 ext. 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us, if you wish to remain anonymous.