Accidents February 4

Accidents February 4, 2026

LOS BANOS, CA – A late-night dune buggy crash into the Delta-Mendota Canal has left one young woman missing and a community searching for answers, authorities said.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a 21-year-old man was driving the dune buggy early Wednesday morning when it entered the canal near Highway 140 and Gravel Pit Road, west of Gustine. Three passengers were with him at the time. After the crash, the driver reportedly left the scene, while the others were left behind.

CHP Los Banos received the call shortly after midnight, at 12:06 a.m. Investigators stated the vehicle was traveling along the canal bank when limited visibility — due to thick dust and dark conditions — contributed to the buggy slipping into the water at an estimated speed of 10 mph.

The driver and two passengers, a man and a woman, were able to escape the vehicle, swim to the canal’s edge, and climb to safety. One female passenger, however, has not been located. The two survivors were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital with moderate injuries.

Witnesses and the surviving passengers told officers that the driver fled the area after the crash. CHP later found him at his home, where he was arrested without incident and booked into the Merced County Jail. Charges include felony hit-and-run and additional allegations.

Search efforts for the missing 21-year-old woman remain ongoing. The Merced County Sheriff’s Office has deployed dive teams, increased patrols, and air support in the area where she is believed to have entered the canal. CHP is also assisting in the search. Authorities have since recovered the submerged dune buggy as the effort continues.

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car and off-road vehicle accident lawyer serving Los Banos, Gustine and Merced County. If you or a loved one were injured in a crash caused by a negligent or reckless driver, know that you’re not alone. AutoAccident.com is one of the most trusted personal injury firms in California, and across the U.S. Our caring legal team is here to help you navigate the legal process, hold at-fault drivers accountable, and fight for the justice you deserve. Call our accident attorneys at (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice. You can also reach out through our online contact form or toll-free number at (800) 404-5400.