Family struggling to cope with loss of man killed on his birthday

The family of a man who died on Lower Sacramento Road in Lodi on Sunday is still seeking answers while also trying to deal with their grief.

Louis Morales was struck by a car while lying on the street just before 2:30 a.m. That car stopped, and Lodi police have said that driver was not under the influence.

It was Morales’ 49th birthday.

Angie Valdovinos, Morales’ sister, said he frequently walked along Lower Sacramento Road, but she has no idea why he was there so early that Sunday morning.

“My brother was my best friend,” she said. “He wasn’t perfect, but he’s still family and didn’t deserve to be left on the road where a vehicle could hit him.”

The family is hoping to raise funds for his funeral, which will cost about $6,900, Valdovinos said, adding they need the funds by Monday. The family has raised just $2,400 so far, she said.

Valdovinos’ family has set up a GoFundMe page seeking $13,000 for expenses. It can be found at gofundme.com/jkggy-funeral-cost. By midday Friday, $850 has been donated.

“I’ve helped the Lodi community for 24 years, volunteering at Lodi Adopt-A-Child,” Valdovinos said Friday. “I’m hoping the community will now help me put my brother to rest.”

The family has also set up a Chase Bank account under Valdovinos’ mother’s name, Margaret Barela, number 3602508815.

The Lodi Police Department has not revealed specifics of the accident to the family or public, saying the case is under investigation.