Caltrans denies traffic signal request where 5 people were killed near Turlock
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Caltrans denied installation of a traffic signal at Lander and Greenway after review.
- Five-collision threshold in 12 months required by Caltrans criteria was not met.
- Family and local officials pursue legislative and local measures to improve safety.
A horrific collision that claimed the lives of four family members and another driver drew attention to safety concerns at the intersection just south of Turlock where the tragedy occurred.
Elizabeth Severson, sister of one of the crash victims, said the California Department of Transportation notified her Tuesday that it won’t install a traffic signal at Lander and Greenway Avenue. Severson said her family will keep pushing for a stoplight to prevent more deaths or injuries.
“We are really pushing to see if something can be resolved,” Severson said. “We just want a light so people are safe.”
On Dec. 15, Daniel Lourenco, his wife and three children were heading west on Greenway en route to church. At the intersection with Lander, also known as Highway 165, Lourenco started to cross the road when their vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by a 2008 Infiniti.
CHP said the Infiniti was traveling at high speed. The crash investigation indicating the speed has not been completed more than 10 months after the incident.
Daniel, 44, his wife, Jennifer, 45, and Uriel Guizar-Negrete, the 22-year-old Modesto man who drove the Infiniti, were declared dead at the scene. The Lourencos’ 16-year-old daughter, Madelyn, died at a hospital and their 14-year-old son, Mathew, succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
Their daughter Emma, then 19, was critically injured. Severson, the sister of Daniel Lourenco, said Emma has gradually recovered and was released from a care facility earlier this year. She would not share more details out of respect for Emma’s privacy.
Caltrans is responsible for any improvements on the state highway and conducted an investigation of safety issues around the Lander and Greenway intersection. Severson said she was told by Caltrans there wasn’t enough evidence to warrant a traffic signal.
Severson said the state agency told her that five broadside collisions in a 12-month period would justify a signal. Only two collisions have occurred there in the past year.
A Caltrans spokeswoman said Thursday the agency has taken the safety concerns seriously. Spokeswoman Erin McQueary said the safety investigation of Highway 165 and Greenway Avenue resulted in several recommendations for enhancements, but the findings did not meet criteria for a traffic signal.
McQueary said by email the criteria for new traffic signals are based on the number of collisions that would be prevented by a signalized intersection. Accident data are considered over a 12-month period along with traffic volume thresholds on the major and minor approaches.
“While the severity of a collision is always a concern, it is influenced by several factors beyond intersection controls — such as vehicle speed,” McQueary wrote.
She said Caltrans traffic engineers are required to follow the criteria in a statewide manual when determining where to place traffic signals. Most of the recommendations for enhancements on Highway 165 near Greenway have been implemented.
In August, road signs alerting drivers to a crossroad ahead were installed on the highway. Enlarged stop signs and “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” warnings were posted on Greenway at Lander. Caltrans also will install pavement markings to make for safer left and right turns at the intersection.
Visibility problem at intersection
Severson said members of her own family live nearby and know the dangers of the intersection, including a history of accidents. Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, a soccer field and 4-H farm generate traffic in the vicinity.
“Don’t cross Lander” has been a precautionary mantra for family members, Severson said. “Being that other members of our family live nearby, there are so many family members coming and going,” she said. “They should not have to worry about their safety. ... I don’t think we need to have more lives lost to justify a traffic light.”
While the Lourenco family was westbound on Greenway and trying to cross Lander, drivers eastbound on Greenway who stop at Lander have their visibility blocked if there’s a large vehicle parked in front of Airport Grocery, at the northwest corner of the intersection.
An eastbound driver, pulling out to cross Lander, could easily be struck by an oncoming vehicle. A careful right turn seems to be the only option.
Family to approach other officials
Severson said the family will approach Assemblyman Juan Alanis and would like to talk with other advocates who can help.
As increasing traffic volumes appear on roadways, Stanislaus County Public Works is looking into four-way stop signs where a Camp Taylor volunteer died in a June 21 crash at Grayson and Shiloh roads.
Avery Millerick, who volunteered at the camp for children with heart defects, was driving a northbound car that was struck by a semi going east on Grayson Road. Family and friends of Millerick brought their request for the stop signs to a county Board of Supervisors meeting in October.
County officials said in January the county could only provide traffic data and ask Caltrans if safety improvements were slated for the Greenway and Lander intersection, because Lander is a state highway.
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM.
