FRESNO, CA – A man from San Diego County was involved in a fatal crash over Presidents’ Day weekend after his vehicle veered off Interstate 5 and submerged in the California Aqueduct, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The crash occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on Sunday when Adrian Rodriguez-Chavira of Chula Vista lost control of his 2019 Honda Accord south of State Route 41. Rodriguez-Chavira managed to escape and swim to safety, but his 24-year-old female passenger remained trapped inside as the vehicle sank.
Emergency crews, including divers, later recovered the woman’s body. Her identity has been withheld pending family notification. Rodriguez-Chavira suffered minor injuries but reportedly declined medical assistance. CHP does not believe intoxication was a factor in the California Aqueduct crash.
