MODESTO, CALIFORNIA: In a heartbreaking incident, a young California mother, Christine Chavez, lost her life after being run over by a lawnmower while lying in a park. The horrifying accident occurred on July 8 at Beard Brook Park in Modesto, leaving her family in a state of profound grief. The incident has sparked an outcry, with her loved ones demanding justice for her untimely demise.
Who was Christine Chavez?
Chavez, 27, who was homeless at the time of her death, was reclining in a weed-filled area of the park when an employee, operating a John Deere tractor with a pull-behind mower, unknowingly ran over her. According to her father, Christopher Chavez, when he arrived at the scene, he discovered horrifying remnants of his daughter's body scattered about. "There were many pieces of (her remains) around there, and I called the police," Chavez said. "I went there, and I still have pieces of bones, like pieces of her skull and some teeth. It's terrible."
The devastating sight left the family traumatized. Another female family member, who chose not to disclose her name, expressed her horror, stating, "I mean, big chunks of her are all over the place, just covered up with the grass. We have to go, you know, just like to see the place. And to be right there, looking at the ground and then seeing, like, chunks of hair is horrible." Adding to the tragedy, Chavez leaves behind a nine-year-old daughter who is now under the care of her grieving family. The loss of their beloved Christine has spurred her family to seek justice and ensure her memory is not forgotten.
Statements from parties involved
E & J Gallo Winery, which had recently acquired Beard Brook Park a day prior to the incident, released a statement expressing their condolences and outlining the sequence of events. The statement read, "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 abatement and fire prevention services. There was an accident at approximately 12:00 pm involving the contractor's tractor and an individual who was not visible and laying in a tall, weeded area. The contractor immediately contacted the Modesto Police Department, and upon arrival, MPD officers declared the individual was deceased."
Grover Landscaping Services, the contractor responsible for maintaining the park, also issued a statement expressing their condolences and cooperating with the investigation. "In a dry, overgrown area, our operator discovered the body of a woman impacted by the pull-behind mower, at which time he contacted the Modesto Police Department," the statement read.
Chavez's brother-in-law, Jose Zermeño, who possesses experience operating similar machinery, raised concerns about the possible negligence involved in the accident. "I work with machinery, I know when you are with machinery, you are paying attention to what is ahead of you, especially if you have something dragging behind you," Zermeño told Fox 40. "And for him not to see anything laying in front of him, he wasn't doing his job." The grieving family is determined to seek justice for Christine's tragic death. Her mother, Josefina Chavez, expressed her sadness and desire for justice, stating, "I am sad for what happened to my daughter, and we want justice for the way that she died."
Demand for justice
At a city council meeting, Dez Martinez, a member of the homeless advocacy organization We Are Not Invisible, criticized the city and empathized with Christine's father. Martinez said, "He doesn't even get to see his daughter. You guys get to kiss your kids good night. If you buried them, you get to see them. He does not. Thank you." Martinez also highlighted the need for better treatment of Modesto's homeless population and the urgency of creating affordable housing and safe spaces for them. "What happened to building affordable housing, tiny home villages, safe camps, to get people off the streets so they're not raped, they're not killed, and they're not run over while taking a nap in a park?" he wondered.
In response, both Modesto police and Mayor Sue Zwahlen offered apologies for the tragic accident but deemed it an unfortunate incident. While the investigation into the matter is ongoing, the family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Christine's daughter and pursue justice on behalf of their lost loved one.