One dead, three escape when speeding car plunges into canal east of Clovis, CHP says

UPDATE: Teen who died when speeding car crashed in a Clovis canal identified by Fresno coroner

An 18-year-old man died when a vehicle full of young adults crashed into a flood-swollen canal Wednesday night, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The 18-year old was the driver of the vehicle. Three passengers survived.

The crash took place about 6:30 p.m. east of Clovis when the driver lost control of the vehicle on Madsen Avenue while turning onto Herndon Avenue (east of Academy Avenue), said Mike Salas of the CHP.

Salas said the cause of the crash appeared to be excessive speed on a wet roadway. The car landed in the Friant-Kern Canal, which was filled with icy water.

A pair of 18-year-old passengers and a 19-year-old passenger managed to get out of the car.

The driver, however, remained stuck.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s water rescue team attempted to find the missing young man. But by the time the car was pulled from the canal, the driver had died.

Salas said alcohol was not believed to be a factor.

This story was originally published March 22, 2023 at 10:00 PM.