Update: Woman who drowned in suspected DUI collision into Fresno canal ID’d
A woman who drowned Saturday night in a suspected DUI collision into a canal has been identified by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office.
Lorena Sanchez Bitler, 43, of Selma drowned when a car drove off the road at Floradora Avenue and Clark Street and into the canal just after 11 p.m.
The canal was full of water, police said.
They were both able to exit the vehicle, but the current pulled the woman away before the driver could drag her out of the water after officers formed a human chain, police said. Life-saving measures were performed, but Bitler was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Divers from the Fresno Fire Department were able to rescue a man, who was checked by the police traffic unit and is facing a DUI charge.
He was placed under arrest, police said.
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM.
