Modesto crash victim remembered as loving wife, mother

A family member said the 40-year-old Oakdale woman who died in a Thursday morning crash in Modesto was warm and loving and was at her happiest when she was taking care of others.

“She’s an amazing person,” said Crystal Franco, the stepmother-in-law of Rida Franco. “She was a loving wife, mother and co-worker. She was a family person.”

Rida Franco was driving her pickup south on Claus Road north of Milnes Road about 5:30 a.m. as Oakdale resident Christopher Stronick, 18, was driving a Dodge Caliber north on Claus. Police have said Stronick’s vehicle drifted into oncoming traffic, and the two vehicles collided.

Franco’s 18-year-old son, Manuel Franco IV, was in the pickup with her. Crystal Franco said Rida Franco was dropping her son off at a cousin’s house before heading to work at Sprouts Farmers Market, the McHenry Village grocery store.

Stronick and Manuel Franco IV suffered major injuries and were taken to a hospital. Emergency crews attempted life-saving measures on Rida Franco, but she died at the scene. Police spokeswoman Heather Graves said both teenagers’ injuries are not life-threatening.

Graves said Friday that police believe Stronick might have fallen asleep at the wheel. Stronick could not be reached for comment Friday.

Crystal Franco said her stepdaughter-in-law was a longtime employee of the grocery store and a hard worker. She said Rida Franco’s husband, Manuel Franco III, is a butcher at the store. An official at the store declined to comment, citing the family’s wishes.

But two people who worked with Rida Franco praised her on The Modesto Bee’s Facebook page. “She was an awesome coworker and a very nice person,” said one. “One of the best supervisors I had, she had a heart of gold and never judged,” wrote another. “... Loved seeing her big smile and positive attitude on everything in life.”

Crystal Franco said her stepdaughter-in-law loved to feed everyone at big family gatherings at her home to celebrate birthdays, graduations or holidays. “She loved to cook,” Franco said, adding that her stepdaughter-in-law would cook dishes from her native Cambodia while her husband grilled tri-tip, prime rib, chicken and other meats.

Rida Franco’s survivors include her husband and sons Manuel Franco IV; Patrick, 16; and Daren, 11.

This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Modesto crash victim remembered as loving wife, mother."