Man found dead in river a day after running away from traffic stop in Madera County
A man who fled from law enforcement in Oakhurst was found dead in a river the next day.
Maurice Snowden, 32, was stopped by a Madera County Sheriff’s sergeant around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday near the intersection of highways 41 and 49 for allegedly making an illegal lane change and almost causing a collision.
During the enforcement stop, the Madera sergeant learned that Snowden had an active warrant out of Mariposa County.
But upon being told he would be taken into custody, Snowden fled from the sergeant by running through traffic toward the Fresno River.
Madera County Sheriff’s deputies searched for Snowden for about an hour before calling off the search for the night due to darkness.
But that same evening, a woman called to report that she received a call from Snowden, who told her that he was lost and in a river,” according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies discovered Snowden’s body around 10 a.m. Friday.
Detectives are investigating the cause of death and the investigation remains ongoing.
Deputies, however, don’t believe there were any signs of foul play.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 559-675-7770.
This story was originally published February 3, 2023 at 9:39 PM.
