California mother, 27, dies after being run over by LAWN MOWER while lying in a California park
The family of a 27-year-old California mother is outraged after her body was found dead after she was run over by a lawnmower while lying in the weeds of a local park.
Christine Chavez was lying in Beard Brook Park in Modesto on July 8 when she was run over by an employee who was mowing the lawn.
The lawnmower – who was driving a John Deere tractor with a rear mower – was unable to see Chavez’s body until after he knocked her over.
Her father, Christopher Chavez, said that when he went to the scene of her death, parts of her body would still be there.
“There were a lot of pieces of that (her remains) and I called the police,” Chavez said. “I went there and I still have bits of bone, like bits of her skull and some teeth. It’s terrible.’
Christine Chavez was lying in Beard Brook Park in Modesto on July 8 when she was run over by an employee who was mowing the lawn
Chavez has no home and has a 9-year-old daughter that her family is now taking care of.
E & J Gallo Winery, who only bought the park a day before Chavez was killed, issued a statement Friday:
Gallo acquired the Beard Brook Park property in Modesto on Friday, July 7, 2023. On Saturday, July 8, 2023, a landscaping contractor was hired to perform weed control and fire prevention.”
“Around noon there was an accident involving the contractor’s tractor and a person who was not visible and was lying in a high, weed-covered area. The contractor immediately contacted the Modesto Police Department and upon arrival, MPD officers stated that the person had died.”
“Gallo extends its sincere condolences to the victim’s family,” the statement continued.
Grover Landscaping Services, which mowed the grass in the park, also issued a statement Friday.
“In a dry, overgrown area, our operator discovered the body of a woman who had been hit by the rear mower and contacted the Modesto Police Department,” the statement read.
Both Gallo and Grover have pledged to cooperate with any investigation into Chavez’s death.
Chavez has no home and has a 9-year-old daughter that her family is now taking care of
The lawnmower – who was driving a John Deere tractor with a rear mower – was unable to see Chavez’s body until after he knocked her over.
Her father, Christopher Chavez, said that when he went to the scene of her death, parts of her body would still be there.
Chavez’s brother-in-law, Jose Zermeño, said he has experience with the kind of machines that ultimately killed his sister-in-law and believes negligence may have been involved.
“I work with machines, I know that when you work with machines, you pay attention to what’s in front of you, especially when you’re dragging something behind you,” Zermeño shared Fox 40. “And seeing nothing ahead, he didn’t do his job.”
Chavez’s family says they will do everything they can to get justice for their beloved daughter.
“I am saddened by what happened to my daughter and we want justice for the way she died,” said Christine’s mother Josefina Chavez.
At a city council meeting, Dez Martinez, a member of a homeless organization We Are Not Invisible, was critical of the city and said his heart broke for Chavez’s father.
“I am saddened by what happened to my daughter and we want justice for the way she died,” said Christine’s mother Josefina Chavez.
Chavez’s family says they will do everything they can to get justice for their beloved daughter
Both the Modesto Police Department and Mayor Sue Zwahlen spoke at the same rally and apologized for Chavez’s death, but called it an accident
“He doesn’t even get to see his daughter,” he said. “You may kiss your children goodnight. Once you’ve buried them, you get to see them. He does not. Thank you.’
Martinez was critical of the treatment of Modesto’s homeless population beyond what happened to Chavez.
“What happened to building affordable housing, small residential villages, safe camps, to get people off the streets so they don’t get raped, murdered, and run over while they nap in a park?”
Both the Modesto Police Department and Mayor Sue Zwahlen spoke at the same rally and apologized for Chavez’s death, but called it an accident.
The family started with one Gofundme to raise money for Chavez’s daughter and get justice for Christine.