Victims identified in deadly early morning crash in Merced County

Two young women killed early Monday when their car overturned into the Planada Canal have been identified.

The Merced County Coroner’s Office identified the driver of the 2011 Ford Fusion as 20-year-old Marisa Garcia of Merced and the passenger in the car as Dorothy Alt, 23, of Planada.

Investigators say the car was heading north on Cody Avenue when the driver attempted to turn onto a dirt road along the canal, north of Haskell Avenue on the outskirts of Planada. The car overturned into the deep waters, trapping both women inside, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Both women were pronounced dead at the scene.

CHP investigators have been speaking with witnesses. Investigators will be piecing together the whereabouts of the two victims before the crash.

This story was originally published October 3, 2017 at 9:21 AM with the headline "Victims identified in deadly early morning crash in Merced County."