Body of missing Mendocino man found in vehicle that crashed into Russian River

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preCharge News CALIFORNIA — The body of a man has been pulled from a car that was found submerged in the Russian River near the community of Jenner, authorities say. 

California Highway Patrol’s Santa Rosa division says they responded on Highway 1, north of Highway 116, just after 2:30 p.m. Saturday to investigate a reported crash. 

Officers got reports that the vehicle was in the Russian River, possibly with a body inside. 

Investigators believe the vehicle was driving on Highway 1 when, for an unknown reason, it veered off the road and crashed into the water. 

Clifford Souza, 74, Mendocino County, April 23, 2025.
Clifford Souza, 74, Mendocino County, April 23, 2025. (CHP via Bay City News)

CHP noted that the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the person found inside the vehicle was 74-year-old Clifford Souza — a Mendocino man who had been reported missing earlier in the week. 

The crash remains under investigation, CHP says. 

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Associated Press, Cbs News, Fox News, and preCharge News contributed to this report.