2 Bakersfield Men Killed When Crashing Car Into The Arvin-Edison Canal On Panama Lane

Kern County, CA (August 24, 2023) – In a devastating incident that unfolded on August 14, Brian Medrano and Carlos Benitez lost their lives in a tragic canal crash near the Arvin-Edison canal on Panama Lane. The shocking turn of events left the community reeling, prompting inquiries into the circumstances that led to this heart-wrenching accident.

Bakersfield Police Are Investigating How The Car Ended Up In The Canal

The Kern County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identities of the victims.  They are 27-year-old Carlos Eduardo Benitez and 29-year-old Brian Ivan Medrano.  Both hail from Bakersfield. The news sent shockwaves through the local community.  Friends, family, and acquaintances mourned the untimely loss of two promising lives.

The precise chain of events that culminated in this horrific crash remains shrouded in uncertainty. According to preliminary reports from authorities, the duo was traveling in a vehicle of unspecified make and model.  They were moving at an undetermined speed when tragedy struck. The vehicle, for reasons yet to be elucidated, veered off its path and crashed into the Arvin-Edison Canal at approximately 2:00 a.m., plunging the situation into chaos and prompting swift response from law enforcement and emergency services.

Canal’s Swift Current Impeded Rescue Efforts To Reach Brian Medrano and Carlos Benitez

Local law enforcement, including officers from the Bakersfield Police Department, quickly converged on the scene in the 4200 block of East Panama Lane. Their primary mission was to locate the vehicle and provide assistance to those involved. However, the situation proved to be dire, as the canal’s swift current impeded their efforts to reach the victims. Despite their best efforts, officers were unable to immediately access the submerged vehicle due to the challenging conditions posed by the water’s rapid flow.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Search and Rescue Crews were mobilized to the scene, bringing specialized equipment to aid in the recovery efforts. It wasn’t until 9:50 a.m. that these teams successfully reached the sunken vehicle. Tragically, upon gaining access to the vehicle, law enforcement officers discovered the lifeless bodies of Brian Medrano and Carlos Benitez within.

Our condolences go out the familys and friends of Brian Medrano and Carlos Benitez.

Brian Medrano, Carlos Benitez of Bakersfield Die in Canal Crash on Panama Lane


Location in Crash near Arvin-Edison Canal Where 2 Identified


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