A 68-year-old man has been identified as the pedestrian killed in a crash last week involving the Stockton city manager.
In what are being described as “preliminary findings,” police also say City Manager Johnny Ford didn’t do anything wrong. Ford was the driver in a collision just north of City Hall Thursday evening that killed one pedestrian and injured another.
The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to Stocktonia the victim of the crash who died as Joe Serna. A 66-year-old man, identified by family as Serna’s brother, was reportedly injured in the collision and remains in a local hospital.
In a statement released Sunday afternoon, Stockton police identified City Manager Johnny Ford as the driver involved in last week’s collision on North El Dorado Street. They also stated that a preliminary investigation indicated he was not at fault in the crash. Authorities reiterated the statements in a media prelease on Tuesday. Their investigation is ongoing.
Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee expressed support for Ford in a prepared statement.
“My heart is with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragic accident. The loss of life and the critical injuries suffered are devastating, and our entire community mourns alongside them,” Lee said. “Based on the facts presented through a thorough and impartial investigation, I fully support our City Manager and affirm my confidence in his return to duty. This was a tragic and unforeseeable accident with no criminal liability.”
Ford attended Tuesday’s city council meeting, stating to Stocktonia that he would comment on the matter.
Serna’s family expressed a desire for justice in an interview with television station CBS 13 three days ago. On Tuesday, the Stockton Police released a statement which reads in part:
“The Stockton Police Department achkowledges the concerns raised by community members following the release of a preliminary investigation assessment related to the tragic vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision on January 22, 2026.
“In recent days, some community members have expressed concerns regarding the preliminary assessment that the driver, Johnny Ford, was not found at fault based on the initial evidence. It is important to emphasize that a preliminary assessment is not a final determination. It hard, excuse me, and go. Early findings reflect only the information available at the initial stages of the investigative process and may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.”
The crash occurred around 7:19 p.m. on Thursday on north El Dorado Street near Poplar Street. A police sergeant came upon a white SUV stopped at the curb and two men lying in the roadway, according to a release from the Police Department.
Want more? Sign up to get Stocktonia delivered to your inbox three days a week.