Patterson, CA – In the early morning of Tuesday, August 5, 2025, a single-vehicle crash involving an SUV resulted in a fatality after the vehicle entered the California Aqueduct, according to ABC10, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the incident occurred at approximately 6:30 AM along the northbound side of Interstate 5, just north of Sperry Avenue and near the Diablo Grande Parkway on-ramp.
The vehicle, identified as a 2003 Nissan SUV that had been towing a single-axle utility trailer, was observed floating in the water before emergency personnel arrived.
Responders from multiple agencies, including fire personnel and medical teams, were dispatched to the scene. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office’s dive team was also called to assist in the recovery effort.
Using specialized equipment, the dive team located and pulled the SUV from the aqueduct. Inside the vehicle, the body of a deceased male driver was found. No other occupants were located in the vehicle.
According to preliminary findings from the CHP, the vehicle had been traveling northbound in the fast lane when it made an unsafe movement to the right, crossing into the slow lane and departing from the right shoulder of the freeway.
From there, the vehicle descended a steep grassy embankment and continued for approximately 1,000 feet in a northeast direction. It reportedly struck two separate sets of barbed-wire fencing before entering the aqueduct.
At this time, it remains unknown whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash. The incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Single-Vehicle Collisions
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility. California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages.
