The Fresno County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim in a fatal personal watercraft accident in Mendota that happened over the weekend.
According to a statement, the victim is Melvin Mendez, 25, of Mendota.
The accident, according to officials, happened on Sunday. Emergency medical services team were reportedly called to a campground on the 30000 block of W. Whitesbridge Avenue, where there was a report of a collision between two people riding personal watercrafts.
The accident reportedly happened in an arm of the San Joaquin River that is known as the Mendota Slough.
According to a preliminary investigation, Mendez was riding his personal watercraft, when he made an unsafe turn into the path of another person who was riding a personal watercraft. Mendez was reportedly struck by that personal watercraft.
According to a statement, witnesses got Mendez out of the water, and over to the shore. Mendez died at a local hospital.
Detectives have reportedly interviewed the young man who allegedly struck the victim, and he has been cooperative. The young man, according to the statement, did not know Mendez.
Anyone with information on the accident should call the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
