Turlock Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Hit and Run Case

TURLOCK – Police announced the arrest of a 22 year old man they said was involved in a hit and run collision that claimed the life of a bicyclist Monday morning.

The crash happened on the 400 block of Lander Avenue shortly after 12:30am. Police received several calls regarding a bicyclist that was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. Police and medical personnel tried to save the bicyclist’s life, but he later died at a local hospital. He was identified as 50 year old Juan Moralez of Turlock.

Witnesses followed the vehicle, a 2009 GMC pickup, and tried to get the driver to stop. The driver continued to flee until crashing on Crows Landing Road. The pickup overturned into a field across from a convenience store, damaging a utility pole. The driver fled on foot and was not immediately apprehended.

The investigation led detectives to 22 year old Francisco Javier Castellon-Gonzalez of Modesto. He was determined to be the driver involved in the crash after being contacted by police. Castellon-Gonzalez agreed to be interviewed by investigators to provide a statement, and was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on charges of hit and run causing injury and vehicular manslaughter.

Authorities credit coordinated efforts between Turlock Police Detectives, members of the Special Investigations Unit and the Major Accident Investigation Team. The investigation laster over eighteen hours, officials said.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Officer Richard Fortado at (209) 664-7399 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 where callers can remain anonymous.