Fresno, CA – On the evening of Sunday, July 6, 2025, a single off-road vehicle crash resulted in fatal injuries to a teenage passenger, according to The Fresno Bee.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the accident took place around 6:30 PM near the San Joaquin riverbed where San Mateo Avenue dead-ends, north of Highway 180.
Authorities say two 15-year-old boys were riding eastbound along the riverbank in a Can-Am off-road ATV when the driver lost control. Both teens were ejected into the river, where the water was approximately one to two feet deep. The ATV overturned and came to rest on top of the passenger.
A witness at the scene lifted the ATV off the injured teen and contacted a family member. At the request of the passenger’s aunt, he was taken to a home in Mendota instead of receiving immediate medical treatment. Later that evening, the teen began experiencing severe internal pain, prompting the family to call 911.
Emergency medical personnel responded and airlifted the teen to Community Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
The driver, who was wearing a helmet, sustained minor injuries. Authorities said he and his family have cooperated with the investigation.
The ATV, which had been removed from the scene before officers arrived, showed no visible damage.
CHP stated that alcohol or drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash. The incident remains under investigation.
Passenger Liability
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a Wrongful Death claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming. As a neutral third party, an experienced personal injury attorney can help navigate these emotional complexities.
For more info on Wrongful Death, see our page about it here.
Martin Gasparian is the founder of Maison Law, a California Personal Injury Law Firm. Martin is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School and has been practicing law in California 2004. His practice focuses on helping injury victims know their rights and recover just compensation.
