Man dies in Donner Lake over Memorial Day weekend during swim
A 36-year-old man trying to swim in Donner Lake Sunday afternoon drowned after he was unable to get back to his boat, according to the Truckee Police Department.
Juan Carlos Garcia-Guitierrez of Lancaster had been in a pontoon boat on the lake before jumping into the water for a swim. Police said wind pushed the boat away from Garcia-Guitierrez after he entered the lake, which is in Truckee. He struggled to keep his head above water while he tried to get back to the boat.
It was unclear if he was with anyone else while on the lake and police said he was not wearing a life jacket.
Emergency personnel were called to the lake around 4:40 p.m. Sunday and the lake’s public boat ramp was closed during their search, which continued into the evening. Truckee police found Garcia-Guitierrez more than 100 feet underwater using a remote control vehicle.
The lake’s boat launch was later reopened.
This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 9:54 AM with the headline "Man dies in Donner Lake over Memorial Day weekend during swim."
