Man swimming in Woodward Reservoir drowns 50 yards from shore

A Southern California man drowned in Woodward Reservoir on Sunday afternoon, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.

Carlos Lopez, 53, of Costa Mesa was visiting the reservoir with friends and told them he was going out for a swim around 3:15 p.m., said Sgt. Erich Layton.

He was about 50 yards from the shore when his friends saw him begin to struggle and then go underwater. He was not wearing a life jacket.

Deputies and firefighters searched for Lopez by boat and helicopter. After about an hour, rescue efforts were called off, according to the Modesto Fire Department, and the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team started recovery efforts.

The dive team located Lopez’s body at about 6:45 p.m. in roughly the same area where he went under.

Layton said deputies rescued a struggling swimmer earlier the same day. He said the Sheriff’s Office wants to remind people to wear life jackets and avoid alcohol consumption near waterways.

Erin Tracy

The Modesto Bee

209-578-2366

Erin Tracy covers criminal justice and breaking news. She began working at the Modesto Bee in 2010 and previously worked at papers in Woodland and Eureka. She is a graduate of Humboldt State University.