Wendy Rivera Gonzalez Killed in Fresno County DUI Accident
Driver Alexander Alcocer faces vehicular manslaughter charges after plunging into Friant-Kern Canal
Wendy Rivera Gonzalez, 25, of Reedley, was killed in a suspected DUI crash when the car she was riding in plunged into the Friant-Kern Canal in Fresno County on Thursday, April 23, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Alexander Alcocer, 22, faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury. Investigators said he was driving a Dodge Challenger recklessly in a dirt lot near Jensen and Navelencia avenues, kicking up dust that reduced visibility before driving into the water.
Two men escaped the submerged car.
Gonzalez, who was in the back seat, was reported missing. A Cal Fire water rescue team found her downstream. First responders performed lifesaving measures before she was taken to a hospital, where she died.
Alcocer was arrested at the scene and is in jail with bail set at $260,000. The crash remains under investigation.
What happens next in the Fresno County DUI investigation?
While authorities pursue criminal charges against the driver who plunged into the Friant-Kern Canal, the family of Gonzalez faces a complex legal aftermath. "Separate from criminal charges, a victim's family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party," said National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from a crash scene, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that a drunk driver is held accountable for their reckless actions."
How do criminal charges impact civil liability?
The California DMV reports that alcohol-involved crashes account for roughly one-third of all traffic deaths in the state. When a driver faces charges like gross vehicular manslaughter, families often must handle parallel criminal and civil proceedings.
Grieving relatives suddenly thrust into the legal system frequently need guidance to understand their options. "An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during this difficult time, and ensure that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to," said National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, of Bond Legal
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.