Deadly Collision in Canal Near Patterson off Highway 5

Tragic Accident on Interstate 5 Freeway, Sperry Avenue A fatal incident occurred on Tuesday morning as a vehicle drove off the Interstate 5 Freeway into a canal near Sperry Avenue, as reported by the California Highway Patrol. The event was notified around 6:23 a.m. when a bystander observed a submerged vehicle near Diablo Grande Parkway, just south of Sperry Avenue. Promptly, emergency crews from the Stanislaus County Fire Department and American Medical Response (AMR) were dispatched to the location. Retrieval of the vehicle was complicated due to its submerged state, leading to the involvement of the Stanislaus County Dive Team, expected to arrive within 90 minutes. Though lanes on northbound I-5 remained accessible, responders utilized Zacharias Road and a west-side gate near Sperry Avenue to reach the site. CHP also requested assistance from a heavy-duty tow truck for vehicle extraction purposes. By 7:13 a.m., the collision site was located, unfortunately resulting in the fatality of the driver. The deceased individual's identity has yet to be revealed pending notification of their family. The circumstances of the crash are currently being probed by authorities, who are determining how the vehicle entered the canal and its duration in the water before being noticed. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to reach out to the CHP's Modesto office.