Driver who died when vehicle overturned into Merced County canal identified by coroner
A driver killed when the vehicle he was driving overturned into a Merced County canal has been identified by the Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office as 20-year-old Alexi Ayala Alvarenga of Mendota, according to Deputy Alexandra Britton.
California Highway Patrol officers responded to the crash just before 6 p.m. on Aug. 1, in the area of Turner Island Road north of Henry Miller Avenue. Authorities said the man was driving a 2014 Honda north on Henry Miller Avenue at an unknown speed when it appears he lost control of the vehicle.
The CHP said the vehicle traveled into the southbound lane before going back across the northbound lane and off the east edge of the road. The vehicle overturned into an irrigation canal and came to rest on its roof in water about six feet deep, according to the CHP.
Alvarenga was pronounced dead at the scene.
