Teen who died when speeding car crashed in a Clovis canal identified by Fresno coroner

An 18-year-old who died east of Clovis when the fast-moving car he was riding in crashed into a full canal was identified Thursday by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office.

Cameron Patterson of Fresno was in a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu with three other teens headed south on Madsen Avenue at about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, CHP and the coroner said.

The car was moving at a high rate of speed and another 18-year-old driving wasn’t unable to make the 90-degree right turn onto Herndon Avenue on a wet road, CHP said.

The car left the roadway and landed in the Friant-Kern Canal, which had become full following weeks of heavy rainstorms, according to officers.

The 18-year-old driver and two passengers — one 17 and the other 19 — were able to get out of the car and the canal on their own, CHP said.

Patterson was not and was pulled from the car about two hours later by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office dive team. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers initially identified him as the driver by corrected that on Thursday.

The water was swift-moving and murky, making it difficult for the dive team to find the car, according to CHP.

Officers said neither alcohol nor drugs were suspected of contributing to the crash.