A 45-year-old Merced man was found dead Monday after his vehicle was discovered submerged in Bear Creek, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Merced Communications Center received a report at about 4:50 p.m. of a possible submerged vehicle in Bear Creek near South Bear Creek Road, east of Piedmont Drive. CHP officers and emergency personnel responded and found a vehicle overturned onto its roof and fully submerged in the creek.

Emergency crews removed the driver, an adult man, from the vehicle. Authorities said he appeared to have been submerged for an extended period of time and was pronounced dead at the scene. No other occupants were found.

Investigators determined the man had been driving a 2002 Toyota Avalon westbound on South Bear Creek Road, east of Piedmont Drive, at an unknown speed when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle left the roadway and overturned into Bear Creek. The date and time of the crash remain unknown.

CHP said it is still investigating the crash and has not determined whether alcohol or drugs played a role.

Got a Tip?

Anyone with information is asked to contact the CHP Merced Area Office at (209) 356-6600.

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