CHP identifies Merced man who died after crashing into Bear Creek
The California Highway Patrol has identified the man who crashed his vehicle into Bear Creek and died earlier this week.
The body of Andrew Paul Schindler, 43, of Merced was found in an overturned vehicle in the creek on Monday evening. The vehicle was submerged in the creek at South Bear Creek Road, east of Piedmont Drive, CHP said.
Schindler appeared to have been submerged for an extended period of time and was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no passengers in the vehicle, CHP said.
A CHP investigation determined that Schindler was driving a 2002 Toyota Avalon west on South Bear Creek Road at an unknown speed when, for unknown reasons, he veered off the road and overturned into the creek.
CHP does not know exactly when he crashed into the creek. The investigation continues.
It is unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs were factors.
