Merced County, CA – On Sunday, July 12, 2026, a single-vehicle collision resulted in the death of Andrew Paul Schindler, 43, of Merced, after his vehicle entered Bear Creek, according to ABC30.
The California Highway Patrol reports that officers responded just before 5:00 PM on Monday, July 13, to a report of a vehicle in the water on South Bear Creek Road east of Piedmont Drive, though authorities believe the crash occurred the previous night.
Authorities said officers arrived to find Schindler inside the overturned vehicle. Investigators have not determined the exact time the vehicle left the roadway and entered the creek.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Merced County Car Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law follows the principle of comparative negligence. This means that even if a driver is found partially at fault for an accident, their surviving family members may still pursue compensation if the negligence of another party, such as inadequate roadway barriers or signage, contributed to the crash. Investigators with California law enforcement examine factors such as roadway conditions and the timeline of events to determine what role outside factors may have played.
Regardless of the findings, Schindler’s family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can provide the family with compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the fatal accident.
Merced County Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, on South Bear Creek Road near Piedmont Drive, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
