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On Dec. 7, five Valley Crest Tree Company nursery workers died in an early-morning auto accident near Oakdale, Calif. marking a devastating blow for the California-based company. The accident occurred on an early December morning as the workers headed to their jobs. The California Highway Patrol reported a Dodge Ram pickup veered into the oncoming lane and collided with the workers?EUR??,,????'??? Mazda, causing both vehicles to burst into flames. In Sept. 2004, four Valley Crest Landscape Development workers died on their way to work in Pleasanton, Calif. Neither vehicle crash occurred on the job, but both sent shockwaves through the company. December?EUR??,,????'???s victims were Alberto Padilla, 35, Miguel Lopez, 19, Daniel Lira, 23, Victor Reyes, 21, and Gerardo Quiroz, 23. They were on their way to work at the Valley Crest Tree Co. nursery northeast of Farmington when the crash occurred. Victim Alberto Padilla worked 16 years for Valley Crest and was a supervisor. Lopez, Lira and Reyes were Alberto Padilla?EUR??,,????'???s cousins. The three and Quiroz had been laborers at Valley Crest Tree Co. for about three years, surviving brother Armando Padilla estimated. Dec. 7 started as most days did for the men. They piled into the Mazda about 6 a.m. and headed north to work. They normally started work at 7 a.m., Armando Padilla said. But on this workday, a truck headed south on Valley Home Road smashed into their car at 6:15 a.m. The driver is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and heroin, California Highway Patrol officer John Martinez said. ?EUR??,,????'??These five men were exemplary employees as well as kind-hearted people who will be greatly missed,?EUR??,,????'?? Valley Crest Tree Co. President Robert L. Crudup, Jr. said. ?EUR??,,????'??We are doing everything possible to support the surviving members as they go through the most difficult period of their lives.?EUR??,,????'?? A benefit fund for the victims’ surviving family members has been set up. Donors can make checks out to Valley Crest Tree Company Farmington Crew Memorial Fund. Mail to: Valley Crest Tree Company, Attn: Shanta Tiratsuyan, 24151 Ventura Blvd., Calabasas, CA 91302. Phone: (818) 737-2600. Sources: The Modesto (Calif.) Bee, Valley Crest Tree Co.
On Dec. 7, five Valley Crest Tree Company nursery workers died in an early-morning auto accident near Oakdale, Calif. marking a devastating blow for the California-based company.
The accident occurred on an early December morning as the workers headed to their jobs. The California Highway Patrol reported a Dodge Ram pickup veered into the oncoming lane and collided with the workers?EUR??,,????'??? Mazda, causing both vehicles to burst into flames.
In Sept. 2004, four Valley Crest Landscape Development workers died on their way to work in Pleasanton, Calif. Neither vehicle crash occurred on the job, but both sent shockwaves through the company.
December?EUR??,,????'???s victims were Alberto Padilla, 35, Miguel Lopez, 19, Daniel Lira, 23, Victor Reyes, 21, and Gerardo Quiroz, 23. They were on their way to work at the Valley Crest Tree Co. nursery northeast of Farmington when the crash occurred.
Victim Alberto Padilla worked 16 years for Valley Crest and was a supervisor. Lopez, Lira and Reyes were Alberto Padilla?EUR??,,????'???s cousins. The three and Quiroz had been laborers at Valley Crest Tree Co. for about three years, surviving brother Armando Padilla estimated.
Dec. 7 started as most days did for the men. They piled into the Mazda about 6 a.m. and headed north to work. They normally started work at 7 a.m., Armando Padilla said.
But on this workday, a truck headed south on Valley Home Road smashed into their car at 6:15 a.m.
The driver is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and heroin, California Highway Patrol officer John Martinez said.
?EUR??,,????'??These five men were exemplary employees as well as kind-hearted people who will be greatly missed,?EUR??,,????'?? Valley Crest Tree Co. President Robert L. Crudup, Jr. said. ?EUR??,,????'??We are doing everything possible to support the surviving members as they go through the most difficult period of their lives.?EUR??,,????'??
A benefit fund for the victims’ surviving family members has been set up. Donors can make checks out to Valley Crest Tree Company Farmington Crew Memorial Fund. Mail to: Valley Crest Tree Company, Attn: Shanta Tiratsuyan, 24151 Ventura Blvd., Calabasas, CA 91302. Phone: (818) 737-2600.
Sources: The Modesto (Calif.) Bee, Valley Crest Tree Co.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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