Tragedy Strikes San Joaquin County: Two Confirmed Dead in Canal Crash

A devastating incident unfolded in San Joaquin County on Tuesday morning, leaving two individuals dead after their vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a canal. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed the grim discovery following an extensive recovery operation near Lockeford.

Authorities identified the deceased as 58-year-old Donald Grewell and 53-year-old Lori Reaves, both residents of Lodi.

Their identities were released by the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office, bringing a tragic conclusion to the search for the occupants of the submerged vehicle.

The harrowing scene began to unfold at approximately 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday when emergency services were alerted to a vehicle submerged in a canal off Highway 88, close to the intersection with Elliot Road.

The reporting party indicated that a vehicle, later identified as a 2021 Hyundai SUV, had somehow left the roadway and entered the waterway.

Upon arrival, California Highway Patrol officers, alongside Caltrans personnel and local dive teams, initiated a complex recovery effort. The submerged vehicle was located and eventually pulled from the canal.

Inside, responders made the heartbreaking discovery of two individuals, later confirmed to be Grewell and Reaves.

Details surrounding the exact circumstances of how the vehicle came to be in the canal remain under active investigation by the CHP. Authorities have not yet released information regarding potential causes, such as speed, driver impairment, or environmental factors.

The investigation is ongoing as officials work to reconstruct the events leading up to this tragic loss of life.

The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers present on roadways, particularly those adjacent to waterways. Emergency crews worked diligently throughout the day to secure the scene, recover the vehicle, and ensure the safety of all involved in the operation.

The community of Lockeford and the wider San Joaquin County mourn the loss of Grewell and Reaves.