SLO County teen killed in hit-and-run crash remembered as ‘the greatest kid that ever was’

A Nipomo teen killed in a hit-and-run collision was a hard worker and a kind soul who took pride in his job, school and his relationship with his family, friends and relatives said.

Joshua Macfarland, 19, was killed while he was riding his electric bicycle home from work on Los Berros Road on May 12.

“He was the greatest kid that ever was,” said Lucille Nolan, Macfarland’s biological grandmother.

Dylan Lammers, 41, allegedly hit Macfarland with his vehicle and later reported the fatal crash at his home, where authorities arrested him. Lammers is charged with felony hit-and-run, the California Highway Patrol told the Tribune.

Leanne Pinedo, Macfarland’s foster sister, said Macfarland’s death has been “devastating” for the family, and that learning to live without him is something they continue to struggle with.

“I don’t think that when people do these sorts of things, they realize the ripple effect that it has,” she said. “Families are just torn apart and the grieving process is just long.”

Nipomo teen and brother were inseparable, family says

Joshua Macfarland was 12 when he entered the foster care system with his brother Jason “JJ” Macfarland, family members told The Tribune. While his parents’ rights were terminated, Joshua McFarland remained close with both his biological and foster families.

“That was one of my favorite things,” Susan Williams, Macfarland’s biological aunt said. “Anytime I posted on Facebook that I was having a barbecue, he would come over. I definitely miss that.”

JJ Macfarland, 22, is known as “Big Red” because of his red hair, while his little brother was called “Little Blue” due to his blue eyes. Blue was also Joshua Macfarland’s favorite color.

“You couldn’t separate us. His stuff was pretty much my stuff, (and) my stuff was his,” JJ Macfarland said. “He always wanted to stay right beside me, and I was like his parent for 19 years.”

Macfarland told the Tribune he would often help his little brother, who one relative said was on the autism spectrum, learn new things, whether it was in school or with outdoor activities. Joshua Macfarland attended Nipomo High School for a time and was also homeschooled.

The pair would often go fishing together. One of JJ Macfarland’s favorite memories was of the time when his brother told him he bought a pair of boots to be like him.

“That meant the world to me. I pretty much started crying,” Macfarland said. “He goes, ‘Well, JJ, it’s because I love you.’”

Joshua Macfarland also had a strong relationship with God, his older brother said, and tried to live his life like Jesus did.

Walmart displays flag at half-mast to honor worker

According to friends and family, Joshua Macfarland was always motivated to work.

His favorite job was working at Walmart in Arroyo Grande, where he worked in the electronics section and pushed carts in the parking lot for about 10 months before his death.

When Macfarland died, Walmart displayed a flag at half mast to honor him, his family said.

Jacob Spooner, one of Macfarland’s coworkers at Walmart, said his favorite memories with Macfarland happened with his truck.

Spooner said he bought a 1990 Ford Bronco pickup truck right around the time he and Macfarland started their jobs at Walmart., adding that Macfarland was the first person to sit in his passenger seat.

Their friendship grew as they took the truck out to Oceano Dunes Vehicular Recreation Area.

Spooner said he plans to paint his truck blue with an Los Angeles Dodgers logo on the hood to honor Macfarland, who was a Dodgers fan.

“I am willing to dedicate my truck to him because he loved it. And its the only thing I have left,” Spooner said.

Man killed in hit-and-run crash had courage, relatives say

Christopher Roberts, Macfarland’s biological grandfather, said there’s one quality that sticks out in his mind when he thinks of his late grandson: Courage.

Macfarland always wanted to learn and wasn’t afraid to ask questions, even tough ones, Roberts said.

“He had that kind of drive to do better, and he was interested in the truth,” Roberts said.

According to his grandpa, one of Macfarland’s special talents was remembering numbers, especially birth dates.

“He was a mathematical genius so he knew all of our birthdays,” Roberts said. “You only had to tell him once and he would never forget.”

Michael Sheehan, Macfarland’s biological cousin, remembered Macfarland as “one of the biggest parts of our family.”

“I think a lot about the things I would love to do with my cousin,” Sheehan said. “And how I wish I could enjoy those with him more.”