Man killed following crash into Fresno County canal identified

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A man who died after driving into a Fresno County canal has been identified.

The Fresno County Coroner's Office has identified him as 23-year-old Elias Mayeda of Pacific Grove.

The crash happened just after 8:30 p.m. Friday on Highway 180 between Frankwood and Alta, just east of Minkler.

Officials say the car veered off the eastbound lane of the highway, into the dirt shoulder, before entering the canal.

A dive team was sent in, confirming Mayeda was inside.

His family says he was on the phone at the time of the crash, just before the call disconnected.

It's unknown if drugs or alcohol were factors.