15-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in California Aqueduct Days After Crash That Killed His Father

The body of 15-year-old Aaron Ramirez was found in a California aqueduct three days after a crash that also killed his father.

Early on Friday, Aug. 8, a family member discovered Aaron’s body about two miles south of where the crash happened near Patterson, according to local news outlets KTXL and KXTV.

The accident occurred three days earlier on Interstate 5. Aaron and his father, Raul Ramirez, were driving their SUV when it went off the road and into the aqueduct. Police said the SUV, traveling north in the fast lane, made a sudden unsafe turn into the slow lane before leaving the roadway and sliding down a steep embankment early Tuesday morning, Aug. 5.

The SUV traveled about 1,000 feet, hit two barbed-wire fences, and entered the aqueduct. Rescue crews later pulled the vehicle from the water. Raul was found dead inside the SUV, but Aaron was missing.

Family members said the pair were on their way to pick up a car. They believe Raul may have suffered a heart attack while driving.

For several days, loved ones and first responders searched for Aaron. On Friday morning, Aug. 8, the California Highway Patrol confirmed his body was found during a scheduled search of the aqueduct. A local fire department retrieved him from the water.

Aaron’s cousin, Angel Alvarez, told ABC affiliate KFSN that Aaron loved learning and understanding “how everything worked” and described him as “incredibly talented.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Aaron’s surviving family, including his mother Elvia and younger brother Isaac. The organizer wrote, “This heartbreaking event has left Elvia and Isaac facing a future without two of the most important people in their lives. We have created this fundraiser to help ease their burdens so Elvia can focus on healing and supporting Isaac.”

As of Aug. 13, the fundraiser had raised nearly $15,000.