Merced hit-and-run victim remembered by family as ‘gentle soul’

The family of a 25-year-old man who was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Saturday has identified him as Josh Munoz, a Merced native whom they said had a “gentle soul” and open mind.

Merced police found Munoz’s body Saturday afternoon in the 1400 block of East Santa Fe Drive. They believe his body had been lying there for several hours before it was discovered.

Police were searching for the driver of a 1989-93 two-door silver or gray Ford Thunderbird suspected to have hit Munoz. The car may have damage to the right front fender and body.

Mary Frances Green, Munoz’s aunt who lives in Fresno, said the family believes Munoz was out in search of a job when he was killed. He was found less than a mile from his home, she said.

Munoz was born and raised in Merced, attended Merced schools and worked in retail sales, she said.

Frances Green described Munoz as quiet, soft-spoken, caring and giving. “If he met someone with purple hair and tattoos, he wouldn’t judge them based on that impression,” she said. “He would judge them on their character and their heart.”

Munoz enjoyed NASCAR and often went with his family to races at Madera Speedway, Frances Green said.

“We’re a very close-knit family,” she said. “That’s why it’s so hard for us. To not have him there, it’s a huge hole.”

Frances Green said Munoz’s parents, Julian and Gina Munoz, and his two sisters, Kimberly and Grace, are devastated.

The family is hoping someone who has information about his death will speak up. “We know the people are probably scared and might be frightened to come forward,” she said. “But how would you feel if that was your brother, your nephew, your son?

“We want closure. We want to know what happened. I think that would help a lot.”

Anyone with information can call Merced police Sgt. Jay Struble at 209-385-4739 or the Merced Police Department tip line at 209-385-4725.

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Merced hit-and-run victim remembered by family as ‘gentle soul’."