Two killed in separate Nevada County incidents, including a toddler

Robert Summa, Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.
·2 min read

May 13—The California Highway Patrol reported two separate fatal incidents involving vehicles on Friday and Saturday in Nevada County with one resulting in the death of a toddler who was hit on a private driveway.

At about 7:10 a.m. on Friday, CHP Grass Valley officers responded to a report of a crash on a driveway at a private residence off of Gilham Court, near Wolf Mountain Road, in south Nevada County, officials said. According to the CHP, 66-year old Lucy Jorjorian of Loomis was leaving the driveway of her family's residence in a 2006 Toyota RAV4.

As she was leaving, three of her grandchildren approached the vehicle to say goodbye. Around the same time, 16-month old Ross Grenon "walked in front of the vehicle as Jorjorian drove out of the driveway and was struck by the Toyota," officials said. The CHP said Jorjorian was unaware that the child was in front of the SUV.

The child suffered severe injuries and was transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center in Roseville for treatment.

"Despite exhaustive efforts of medical staff and first responders, he succumbed to his injuries," the CHP said.

According to officials, the incident remains under investigation and there is no suspicion of alcohol or drug use.

Crash results in death of passenger

On Saturday, CHP Grass Valley officers responded at about 2:45 a.m. to a report of a single-vehicle crash off the side of State Highway 20, near the South Ponderosa overcrossing, west of Grass Valley.

Officials said 35-year-old Josiah Moncrieff of Grass Valley was driving a 2007 Acura TL with a 35-year old female passenger in the vehicle. Moncrieff was on his way to complete a DoorDash delivery at the time of the crash.

"Moncrieff fell asleep at the wheel, causing the Acura to leave the north side of the highway, where it struck a series of trees," the CHP said. "A Penn Valley Fire Department ambulance came upon the crash shortly after it occurred, but tragically, the female passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene."

Moncrieff suffered major injuries and was transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. Officials said the crash is still under investigation. Both the driver and passenger were wearing their seatbelts and neither drugs or alcohol are suspected factors in the crash, the CHP said.