Motorcyclist dies after driving into canal south of Fresno

A motorcyclist was found dead Saturday after driving off Peach Avenue south of Fresno and into a canal, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Officer Raul Gonzalez said CHP received a call just after 4 p.m. from residents that they had found the motorcycle in Washington Canal off Peach just north of Central Avenue.

Just south of the motorcycle, a man in his early to mid 40s was found submerged, Gonzalez said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity was not released pending notification of next of kin. The exact cause of death was under investigation.

It is unknown what time the accident happened. Gonzalez said it appears that the man was driving south on Peach when he “failed to negotiate the curve” – a slight bend in Peach Avenue just before it reaches Central Avenue.

Gonzalez said a helmet was found in the canal and investigators do not suspect foul play.

Chueyee Yang: 559-441-6447, @chueyee15

This story was originally published November 4, 2017 at 6:56 PM with the headline "Motorcyclist dies after driving into canal south of Fresno."