Juvenile Driver Lost Control of Off-Road Vehicle Along San Joaquin Riverbed
FRESNO, CA, (July 06, 2025) - A tragic off-road accident in Fresno County on Sunday evening claimed the life of 15-year-old Isaac Lopez Torres, according to the coroner’s office. The fatal incident involved a single Can-Am all-terrain vehicle and occurred along the San Joaquin riverbed north of Highway 180.
Isaac Lopez Torres, a 15-year-old resident of Mendota, tragically died in an ATV crash Sunday evening in Fresno County, according to a news release.
Preliminary reports indicate that Torres was a passenger on the ATV when the juvenile driver lost control of the vehicle. Both teens were ejected and landed in the river. The ATV then overturned, landing on Torres and causing fatal injuries. The driver sustained only minor injuries.
At this time, no charges have been filed, and the incident remains under investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are inherently risky due to challenging terrain, inexperienced drivers—particularly teenagers—and the design limitations of the vehicles themselves. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), between 2018 and 2020, there were 2,448 fatalities in the U.S. involving off-highway vehicles (OHVs), including ATVs, recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs), and utility task vehicles (UTVs). Notably, ATVs were involved in more than two-thirds of those deaths.
Candice Bond, a seasoned ATV accident attorney, noted that crashes like this often result from factors such as inexperience, failure to follow laws and safety guidelines, reckless operation, or navigating unfamiliar terrain.
“Time is of the essence in cases like this, and the victim’s family must be assured that evidence is examined promptly and thoroughly,” said Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and a national legal analyst for The Legal Advocate.
“An attorney can identify what contributed to the crash and has the resources to bring in expert witnesses, locate those who saw the incident, and assess all relevant insurance policies.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the family of Isaac Lopez Torres may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Such claims may allow surviving family members to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, emotional distress, and the pain and suffering caused by this tragic incident.
“The stress and sorrow can be incredibly overwhelming after the loss of a loved one in a sudden accident,” said Candice Bond, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“A wrongful death attorney will monitor the official investigation closely and work to protect the legal rights and best interests of the victim’s family.”
Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).