Family remembers Lodi man who was killed while riding bike

November 26, 2023 by EUNILITO

A Sacramento family is remembering their loved one who died on Thanksgiving in Lodi. The California Highway Patrol said a 19-year-old driver hit Gene Benton Jr., 57, while he was riding his bicycle on Highway 12. Benton died around 5 pm near where. lived off the highway for 16 years. “It’s something to be here. I offered him many times, ‘come home with me, come home with me,’ and I finally had to come to the realization that he is home,” said Sharon Tarango, the sister of Benton. The CHP said for an unknown reason, Benton drifted off the shoulder and crossed the eastbound lane into the westbound lane directly into the path of an oncoming car. Investigators said they suspect drug use by Benton. Tarango has been questioning the theory ever since he talked to his brother on Thanksgiving. and others saw it. “Was he intoxicated that he was driving a vehicle? No. Did he know Highway 12 like the back of his hand? Could he be walking blindfolded? Yes,” Tarango said. “Something else happened that day.” The family also said they saw no skid marks on the highway. “He wasn’t just a guy out on drugs,” Irma Williams said. Williams is the operations manager at a nearby Love’s Truck Stop. She put Benton on his first night shift six years ago. “Little Debbie’s donuts and I added. I’ve been buying them Little Debbie’s donuts and coffee ever since,” she said. Williams said like the truck stop’s namesake, the employees and customers loved Benton. She said she protected them, took the women to their cars and asked for nothing in return. “He was there at Thanksgiving before five,” Williams said. “He had his coffee saying, ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ to everyone because he came to see his family,” he said. The day before, Williams said, he brought a turkey dinner. “I even said I loved him that day,” she said, tearfully. “It mattered to all of us here.” Williams also takes care of Benton’s dog. Tarango had just finished packing a Thanksgiving dinner for Benton when she got the news of his death. “He wasn’t just a homeless, nameless person, he was my brother,” she said. the tradition of “Gene’s Table”, which offers a place for someone who needs love or a place to eat at the party. They also set up a GoFundMe to pay for a memorial service and dog expenses.

A Sacramento family is remembering their loved one who died on Thanksgiving in Lodi.

The California Highway Patrol said a 19-year-old driver hit Gene Benton Jr., 57, while he was riding his bicycle on Highway 12.

Benton died around 5 pm near where he lived off the highway for 16 years.

“He has the thing to be here. I have offered him many times, ‘come home with me, come home with me’, and I had to come to the realization that he is at home,” said Sharon Tarango, the sister of Benton.

The CHP said for an unknown reason, Benton moved off the shoulder and crossed the eastbound lane into the westbound lane directly into the path of an oncoming car.

Investigators said they suspect drug use by Benton.

Tarango questions that theory since he talked to his brother on Thanksgiving and others saw him.

“Was he intoxicated that he was driving a vehicle? No. Did he know Highway 12 like the back of his hand? Could he be walking blindfolded? Yes,” Tarango said. “Something else happened that day.”

The family also said they saw no skid marks on the highway.

“He wasn’t just a guy out on drugs,” Irma Williams said.

Williams is the operations manager at a nearby Love’s Truck Stop.

He put Benton on his first night shift six years ago.

“We talked about a lot of Little Debbie donuts and I’ve been buying her Little Debbie donuts and coffee ever since,” she said.

Williams said like the truck stop’s namesake, the employees and customers loved Benton. She said he protected them, took the women to their cars and didn’t ask for anything in return.

“It was Thanksgiving before five,” Williams said. “He had his coffee saying, ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ to everyone because he came to see his family,” she said.

The day before, Williams said, he brought her a turkey dinner.

“I even said I loved him that day,” she said, tearfully. “It mattered to all of us here.”

Williams also takes care of Benton’s dog.

Tarango had just finished preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for Benton when she got the news of his death.

“He wasn’t just a homeless, nameless person, he was my brother,” she said.

The family wants to honor Benton on Thanksgiving with the tradition of “Gene’s Table,” which offers a place for anyone who needs love or a place to eat at the holiday.

They also installed a GoFundMe to pay for a memorial service and dog expenses.