Navy serviceman killed in vehicle collision early Sunday morning

On Sunday, March 28th, 2021, at approximately 12:20 am, the Turlock Police Department received a call of an injury vehicle collision next to America’s Tire located at 3500 W Monte Vista Ave. Officers responded along with American Medical Response and the Turlock Fire Department’s Battalion 4, Squad 32, and Engine 34. The caller reported that a single vehicle had collided into a fire hydrant and irrigation box next to the business.

The first officer who arrived on scene located three occupants in the vehicle including a backseat passenger who was pinned and needed to be extricated. The Turlock Fire Department and American Medical Response arrived on scene shortly after and began extrication on the pinned passenger as well as life saving efforts on the other two occupants.

All occupants of the vehicle were transported to a local area hospital by ambulance where unfortunately, the driver, who was identified as William Shawn Pizarro, 19, of Newman, who was also a Aviation Machinist Mate in the Navy, succumbed to his injuries. The other two occupants, a 20-year old male and an 18-year old male suffered moderate non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed that speed was a factor in the collision, but alcohol nor drugs were not.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Officer Richard Fortado at 209-664-7399 or by email at RFortado@turlock.ca.us. You can also leave an anonymous tip at the Turlock Police Department’s tip line at 209-668-5550 extension 6780 or by email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.