CA CA - Lupita Lizbeth Zuniga Ontiveros, 26, Missing after Dune Buggy Accident, Gustine, 26 January 2026

[SpicyFruit]

Community searches for Stockton mother missing after dune buggy crash in canal

A Stockton mother remains missing as family, friends, and community members have been searching for her in Merced County since last week.

www.cbsnews.com

"A Stockton mother remains missing as family, friends, and community members have been searching for her in Merced County since last week. "

"CBS Sacramento was told that the California Highway Patrol's Los Banos office is leading the investigation. Elixandro Naranjo Miranda, 21, was driving a dune buggy with three passengers that entered the Delta-Mendota canal, according to the CHP. Miranda allegedly fled the crash scene before law enforcement officials arrived but has since been arrested."

"The CHP said the dune buggy entered a canal at about 10 mph amid poor visibility caused by darkness and dust. While Lupita remains unaccounted for, the rest were able to reach the canal bank."

Family continues search for missing woman after canal crash in Merced County

The search for a 21-year-old woman, who went missing after a vehicle crash into the Delta-Mendota Canal in Merced County, continues as her family tirelessly see

kmph.com

"We assisted with our dive team at the beginning. The vehicle in question was located and recovered but the victim was not located."

Family continues search for missing woman after canal crash in Merced County

The search for a 21-year-old woman, who went missing after a vehicle crash into the Delta-Mendota Canal in Merced County, continues as her family tirelessly see

kmph.com

"
"If somebody wanna help you then I think bring some drones or maybe couple divers rescue," Ontiveros said.

The family has also been using social media to spread awareness and has received community support.

Recently, they found Zuniga's jacket about a mile from the canal, which local authorities collected.

However, no other belongings have been discovered."

 

[GraceG]

“When we located the vehicle, she was not inside, so obviously she’s not on shore and she’s got to be somewhere in the water,” Stiers (CHP spokesperson) says. “But the currents are so strong it’s not safe for the divers, so they have to wait until the current gets shut down.” . . . . . . . "The water is running very fast this time of year because it is being released to irrigate all the surrounding farmland."

Mom Went Out with Friends, Then Disappeared in the Water After Dune Buggy Crash: 'Breaks My Heart,' Family Says (Exclusive)

As the search continues for Lupita Ontiveros, who was thrown into a canal earlier this week after her dune buggy rolled into the water, a family member says the woman's mother keeps calling out her daughter's name.

people.com

Family members said she did not know how to swim.

https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article314547597.html

This is just heartbreaking, given the darkness and the swift moving current even the ability to swim may not have been enough. I'm hoping they find her and can bring her home.

 

[SpicyFruit]

“When we located the vehicle, she was not inside, so obviously she’s not on shore and she’s got to be somewhere in the water,” Stiers (CHP spokesperson) says. “But the currents are so strong it’s not safe for the divers, so they have to wait until the current gets shut down.” . . . . . . . "The water is running very fast this time of year because it is being released to irrigate all the surrounding farmland."

Mom Went Out with Friends, Then Disappeared in the Water After Dune Buggy Crash: 'Breaks My Heart,' Family Says (Exclusive)

As the search continues for Lupita Ontiveros, who was thrown into a canal earlier this week after her dune buggy rolled into the water, a family member says the woman's mother keeps calling out her daughter's name.

people.com

Family members said she did not know how to swim.

https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article314547597.html

This is just heartbreaking, given the darkness and the swift moving current even the ability to swim may not have been enough. I'm hoping they find her and can bring her home.

I do think she is in the water. But finding her Jacket she was supposedly wearing nearby and the driver running. Does peak my interest a little. Here is a video that was released about the safety of these canals. I know I have heard/seen a lot of locals that won't go near these things because of safety.

 

[GraceG]

I do think she is in the water. But finding her Jacket she was supposedly wearing nearby and the driver running. Does peak my interest a little. Here is a video that was released about the safety of these canals. I know I have heard/seen a lot of locals that won't go near these things because of safety.

There were 4 people total in the dune buggy. The driver may not have been legal to drive (i.e. suspended drivers license, etc). and panicked. I'm assuming a dune buggy in CA requires a driver's license, as it would be much bigger, power and weight wise than an ATV.

My Uncle had a small almond farm in Central CA and we visited every summer. As kids we were taught very early on to stay out of the canals.