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Car pulled from California Aqueduct in Littlerock, body found inside

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aqueduct-car
An orange Dodge Dart was pulled from the water near 106th Street and Pearblossom Highway Friday, Sept. 9. [Photo by LUIS MEZA.]
LITTLEROCK – Divers on Friday found a body, possibly that of a young man who recently went missing, in a car in the California Aqueduct in Littlerock.

Sheriff's divers found the body of a Hispanic male, believed to be between 18 to 22 years old, inside the vehicle. [LUIS MEZA]
Sheriff’s divers found the body of a Hispanic male, believed to be between 18 to 22 years old, inside the vehicle. [LUIS MEZA]
A state Department of Water Resources crew reported Friday morning that they found damage to a fence along the aqueduct, then the California Highway Patrol was notified about a possible vehicle collision, according to CHP Officer Monique Mischeaux Breshers.

CHP officers responded and confirmed that a vehicle was inside the aqueduct  near 106th Street East and Pearblossom Highway, Breshers said, then they notified the sheriff’s department’s dive team.

Authorities did not positively identify the body on Friday, but family members believed it to be 18-year-old Gustavo Santana. [click image to enlarge]
Authorities did not positively identify the body on Friday, but family members believed it to be 18-year-old Gustavo Santana. [click image to enlarge]
An orange Dodge Dart was found at the bottom of the waterway, and sheriff’s divers found the body of a Hispanic male, believed to be between 18 to 22 years old, inside the vehicle, Breshers  told reporters at the scene.

Authorities did not positively identify the body on Friday, but family members and friends believed it to be Gustavo Santana, an 18-year-old Littlerock man who was recently reported missing.

Santana was last seen Sunday, Sept. 4, when he left his Littlerock home around 5 p.m. for work.

Gustavo Santana
Gustavo Santana

Santana was wearing his McDonald’s uniform and driving his orange Dodge Dart, according to a flyer his family posted to social media. Santana called his supervisor to say he was running late, but he never arrived to work. Family members then  launched a desperate week-long search for the teen, whom they said suffered from seizures if medication was not taken.

Santana’s family planned to hold a vigil at the aqueduct Friday evening.

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20 comments for "Car pulled from California Aqueduct in Littlerock, body found inside"

  1. May everyone be comforted during this difficult time. I have often noticed the fencing around the aqueducts is simply chain link which does not hold a car back. His life may have been saved if a stronger fence would have stopped his car from going into the water. Let’s push for stronger fencing around the aqueducts.

  3. Geeshe, Thank you for clarifying the point I was trying to make. The article doesn’t say anything about speeding, the missing person flyers his mom made do mention that he suffered from seizures which means it’s entirely possible this young man suffered a seizure while driving, losing control of his vehicle and tragically lost his life in the aqua-duct. No witnesses have come forward to say he was speeding. Bottom line is Guatavo lost his life, his loved ones are mourning his death, they should be allowed to grieve in peace.

  4. My heart and prayers are with you and your family in this very difficult time. I’m sorry for your loss as healing takes time. Your Son will be remembered as a wonderful youngman. Be proud everyday you are a good Mom. Stay with Prayer.

  5. So sorry for your loss. I live in 82nd st by the aquaduct and Im always looking out to see who is there or anyone doing anything wrong as I have 3 kids myself. Prayers to the mom. Stay as strong as u can!!! U still have things to do in this life!!

  6. Sorry for the family.
    Also sorry to say.i has seen this car on Pearblossom Highway and Avenue T.
    All was driving to fast over the speed limit.
    Ir would have been better to be late for work

    • Seen – Pearblossom & Avenue T is 4 Points, maybe you meant to say Avenue T & 106th. Either way his family & friends are grieving, this is tragic enough without you throwing the “it would have been better to be late for work” comment out there.
      I apologize if me quoting his statement upsets anyone, it’s sad that someone can’t just offer their condolences without pouring salt in an open wound.
      My thoughts & prayers are with Gustavo’s mom, siblings, family, and friends.

      • I’m not apologizing for anything if you’re not Hillary Clinton.
        And thank you for the comments about the intersections but never tell me to what to say and not to say this is America

          • We may say what we may see at times.
            The kids and adults in this Valley cannot drive they drive like a bunch of idiots in the race track

          • No its not.
            People just can’t stand the truth like you said this is America we can see and feel what we think and you can’t stop it.
            If you drive bad you’re going to end up killing someone or killing yourself we seen that car around here no excuses

          • No one is telling anyone what to say or not to say here ….. They are just SUGGESTING that you all try to have a little sensitivity and don’t be such a jerk.. But that is obviously impossible so …… And no where in this article was there a claim that this boy was driving to fast… Just because some yo-yo says that they “saw them speeding” in the past … *sigh*

          • lotta bad comments here.. but this guy had seizures.. and maybe he had one while driving.. OR maybe he was driving too fast to get to work.. because we ALL have to get to work to survive… it don’t matter.. it could have been YOU.. car accidents kill TONS of people every year.. so please.. STFU.. and have some sympathy.. the next car accident could be you….

        • Youre an idiot. He could have had a seizure which caused him to crash. Ave T and pearblossom is nowhere near an aquaduct and he wouldnt be coming from that way if he lived n littlerock. So quit assuming you dumb nut and have some sympathy. My condolences to the family.

  8. Gustavo was one of our employees. What a great kid. Just graduated High school and I believe he was getting ready to go to college. God bless his family. Anything you guys need, please reach out. Rest in peace.

  9. My son suffers from seizures if his medication is not taken as well. I have gone crazy because he keeps wanting to take my car neighbors all hate me because I cause scenes about it. Your allowed to drive if you have seizures. It is a daily fight. Prayers for the family. This is sad and I am sorry for your loss.

      • I also have seizures, I take medication daily for the past 16years and I was allowed to get my license as long as it was controlled, I haven’t had one for 15 years. Such a sad story and as a mother I understand why you don’t want to let your son drive.