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Pedestrian Struck Sunday Succumbs To His Injuries
Gordon Gaines
This photo of Gordon Gaines is from the Oakdale Family Church of the Nazarene Facebook page; the husband of the children’s pastor at the church died of injuries suffered in a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident there on Sunday morning.

The husband of the children’s pastor at Oakdale’s Family Church of the Nazarene died as a result of injuries sustained in a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident at the church on Sunday, Sept. 27.

According to information released by the Oakdale Police Department, shortly after 10:15 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to several 9-1-1 calls reporting a vehicle vs. pedestrian traffic collision at the Church of Nazarene at 1700 W. F St.

When officers and fire personnel arrived on scene it was determined the male pedestrian had suffered major injuries and was pronounced deceased. He was later identified as Gordon Gaines, 69, a member of the congregation and husband of Marilyn Gaines, who serves as children’s pastor at the West F Street church.

Police said the investigation was turned over to the California Highway Patrol, who issued a report indicating the 71-year-old female driver, from Oakdale, was in a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and was making a U-turn in the parking lot when she accelerated in an easterly direction toward the west side of the building. The truck struck a metal support pole before striking Gaines, who was standing on a nearby walkway. The truck then continued in an easterly direction before colliding into the building.

The truck driver was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures but was not injured, authorities said. Alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to have contributed to the collision, said the CHP, and the driver was using safety equipment at the time of the crash.

The church provided some photos and a brief statement on their Facebook page on Sunday evening, noting the tragedy and indicating “one of our congregants, Gordon Gaines, is now with Jesus in heaven.”

They asked for prayers for Marilyn Gaines and her family as they try to cope with the “very unexpected” death, as well as seeking prayers for all involved in the tragedy.