Passenger Drowns After Vehicle Crashes Into Canal Saturday Night
FRESNO, CA, (June 21, 2025) -
A 43-year-old Selma woman tragically died late Saturday night after the vehicle she was riding in crashed into a Fresno canal, according to police.
Lorena Sanchez Bitler, a 43-year-old Selma resident, tragically died late Saturday night after the vehicle she was riding in crashed into a canal in Fresno, authorities said.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Lorena Sanchez Bitler.
Investigators say the vehicle veered off the roadway and entered the Dry Creek Canal near Lamona Avenue and Clark Street. The driver contacted authorities shortly after the incident. Bitler was swept away by the current and later found deceased after being recovered and transported to the hospital.
The driver of the vehicle was reportedly under the influence at the time of the crash and has since been arrested.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Drunk driving endangers not just the impaired driver, but passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), someone in the U.S. is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 79 seconds.
An independent investigation is often necessary in these cases to determine contributing factors—such as the results of blood-alcohol content (BAC) tests—and to establish full liability.
Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, emphasized the importance of strong legal advocacy in such situations.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a victim or their family during this difficult time,” Bond said. “It is essential to ensure that drunk drivers are held accountable for their reckless actions while protecting the rights of those impacted.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family members of Lorena Sanchez Bitler may be entitled to a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for medical and funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when a person or entity commits a negligent or reckless act that results in someone's death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“When fatal crashes are caused by unsafe driving, such as speeding, distracted behavior, or driving under the influence, families often have the right to pursue a civil action against the at-fault party to seek justice and accountability.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(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).