Summer Vigil-Gardner Dies after Turlock Crash on Harding Road near Youngstown Road

Summer Vigil-Gardner
Summer Vigil-Gardner Dies after Turlock Crash on Harding Road near Youngstown Road

, California (August 15, 2021) – Summer Vigil-Gardner, 19, of Turlock died following a collision that occurred on Wednesday morning near Turlock, according to a local news source.

The collision occurred shortly after 9:00 a.m. August 11, in the 2300 block of Harding Road near Youngstown Road.

Authorities said Isaac Leal, 27, of Delhi, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Youngstown Road and Vigil-Gardner was riding a horse eastbound on Harding Road along the right edge of the road.

Leal reportedly got distracted when he reached down to get a bottle of water and when he looked back up, he saw Vigil-Gardner and the horse. He tried to swerve but the Chevrolet rotated counterclockwise and collided with the horse. 

The impact threw Vigil-Gardner off the horse and she landed onto the roadway.

Summer Vigil-Gardner Dies after Traffic Crash near Turlock

Vigil-Gardner sustained major injuries and was taken to the Doctors Medical Center. She was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

The horse died at the site of the crash.

Leal was not injured. 

Authorities said distracted-driving is believed to be a factor in the crash.

The incident remains under investigation.