Passerby finds body of elderly man who collapsed after crash into canal

An 87-year-old man who crashed into a canal on Saturday was able to get out of his car, but collapsed and died near the wreckage, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man’s body was found around 7:30 a.m. Saturday by a passerby driving down Road 29 near Avenue 15, Officer Dusten Dimmer said.

The crash happened hours before the man was found, and investigators have tried to piece together what led up to his death.

Authorities say he was speeding north on Road 29 when he veered to the left and crashed head on into the other side of the embankment.

The man was able to get out of the car and walk around it, pulling on the door handles before he collapsed.

Investigators know his seatbelt was used because it was extended, and there was blood inside and outside of the car.

The Main Canal had about a foot of water at the time of the crash, Dimmer said.

CHP was not releasing the man’s name, pending notification of family.