TURLOCK – Samir Shirzad fled Kabul the day before it fell to the Taliban.
The city was his home for the last four years where he lived with his sisters and parents. Prior to that they lived in a northern province of Afghanistan until it became unsafe.
As the Taliban began to occupy his home, Samir took the opportunity to flee while he could, with the promise of supporting his family from abroad.
“Inshallah,” Samir said, which means “God willing.”
Through an organization called International Rescue Committee, Samir was able to flee Kabul and come to the United States. Within a couple of days, he was in Turlock hoping to find work.
“Tomorrow I have an appointment with my caseworker to apply for everything I need to work.”
Samir worked as an interpreter in Afghanistan. His English is very good, so he was able to quickly find jobs in logistics and construction. Often times he worked between US Military and their Afghan counterparts translating through various projects. Both of his parents are teachers. His father taught for 20 years, and his mother teaches at a local college.
With the Taliban takeover, some essential services have been cut off. Since he fled Kabul, Taliban fighters had gone to his father’s house looking for him, Samir said. His father told them Samir was dead and to leave the family alone.
“They only have about a week supply of food left,” Samir said. His need to find work is urgent to him.
“It is my wish to work. I would like to be a guard, or a driver, anything.”
Monday, Samir found himself at Donnelly Park enjoying the afternoon. He was approached by a man who had asked to borrow his cell phone to make a phone call. Samir agreed, but the man took the phone and ran.
Samir was able to call for help, and police responded within a few minutes. At around the same time, officers were investigating a report of a stolen vehicle that was taken from a cafe on Geer Road. The suspect who took Samir’s phone was sitting in the stolen vehicle.
The suspect fled as officers approached, but he was quickly apprehended. An ambulance was called for the man as he showed indications of being under the influence of a substance.
“He was acting very strangely,” Samir said. “He moved and waved his arms like something was wrong.”
Police were able to return the owner of the car to his stolen vehicle. Samir was very pleased with the response of the officers.
“In my country, maybe I would have seen my phone in ten days. Here, in ten minutes.”
Carlos Rodriguez is an Emmy Award winning photojournalist specializing in public safety and natural disasters. His passion for local news stems from a deep commitment to his community, with a selfless mission to inform the citizens of the valley. As he worked on assignment for 19 days at the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise, California, he spent most of his time helping survivors contact their loved ones to let them know they were ok. Carlos is a veteran of Univision, FOX, and Telemundo TV stations and a native of Modesto, California.
TURLOCK – A Turlock Police Officer was injured when he was involved in a crash while trying to stop a speeding vehicle Tuesday.
The crash happened in the area of Palm Street and Hawkeye Avenue. The officer, whom authorities identified as Gavin Allison, had his lights and sirens on as he was trying to catch up to a speeding driver when he was involved in a collision with another motorist.
Officer Allison suffered moderate injuries that required stitches to his arm and leg, but is expected to make a full recovery. The other motorist involved in the crash was not injured. Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Officer Rocha at (209) 668-5550 extension 6130.
MODESTO – Emergency crews responded to a report of a vehicle collision on Claus Road Monday morning.
The crash was reported near the area of Claus Road and Cedar Creek Drive at about 8:00am. Early reports indicate a pickup truck and another vehicle collided before the pickup hit a tree.
Arriving personnel reported one motorist appeared to have a broken leg.
MERCED COUNTY – A 20 year old woman was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of DUI and vehicular manslaughter after a crash claimed the lives of two people.
The crash was reported at about 12:19am on Highway 165 near Turner Avenue. According to California Highway Patrol, 20 year old Melissa Rosales of Los Banos was driving a BMW SUV at high speeds south on Highway 165 when she crossed lanes at a curve. Her vehicle crashed into an oncoming Honda Accord driven by a 41 year old man from Ceres with a juvenile passenger. Both occupants of the Honda were killed in the crash.
Rosales suffered major injuries and was taken to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. Officials say she was under the influence at the time of the crash and faces DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges.
All involved persons were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.