FRESNO COUNTY, CA – A 36-year-old man who drowned after his vehicle crashed into a canal south of Fresno on Friday night has been identified by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office as Manuel Guzman.
The incident occurred around 9:15 p.m. on July 25, 2025, when the California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a report of a vehicle submerged in a canal near Chestnut Avenue and North Avenue, near Malaga. According to the CHP, Guzman was driving a Mercury Milan southbound on Chestnut Avenue when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered west off the road and plunged into the canal, becoming fully submerged.
Witnesses reported that Guzman managed to exit the vehicle and call for help but was struggling to stay afloat. Despite his efforts, he went underwater and did not resurface before emergency responders arrived. Search and rescue teams, including a CHP helicopter and other first responders, conducted an extensive search along the canal. Around 10 p.m., Guzman was located approximately 80 feet south of the submerged vehicle.
Emergency personnel performed CPR at the scene and continued life-saving efforts as Guzman was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. The CHP is still investigating the cause of the crash, and it remains unclear whether factors such as drugs, alcohol, or road conditions played a role. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.