Lancaster man dies in drowning at Donner Lake over Memorial Day weekend
A man died after he jumped into Donner Lake and never resurfaced over Memorial Day weekend, police said.
Emergency crews responded to the lake Sunday afternoon after the man, identified by Truckee police as 36-year-old Lancaster resident Juan Garcia-Gutierrez, jumped into the water from a pontoon boat. Truckee police said the boat drifted away due to the wind, and Garcia-Gutierrez was unable to get back to it.
Police noted that Garcia-Gutierrez was not wearing a life vest.
Truckee police originally said search and recovery operations were halted Sunday due to darkness, but favorable wind conditions allowed the effort to continue into the evening.
Using a remotely operated vehicle, police said Garcia-Gutierrez's body was located around 9:20 p.m. about 105 feet underwater.
The public boat ramp area at Donner Lake was closed during the search and recovery effort, but it has since reopened.
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office, California State Parks and Truckee Fire Protection District assisted the Truckee Police Department.