Body found in harbor believed to be victim of solo-vehicle fatal collision

Richmond police have determined that a body found in the water near Canal Boulevard last Saturday is believed to be the victim of a solo-vehicle fatal collision, following a multi-agency investigation that located a submerged truck.

During the investigation, detectives used the department's Flock Safety camera system and located footage showing what appeared to be a vehicle entering the water near Canal Boulevard at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday morning, roughly ten hours before the body was discovered.

Based on that footage, the Richmond Police Department requested assistance from the San Francisco Police Department Marine Unit, the Oakland Police Department Marine Unit, and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Dive Team. All three agencies responded, and using specialized sonar equipment and marine resources, personnel located a submerged vehicle.

Dive teams, including members of the volunteer California Recovery Divers, then assisted in recovering the vehicle and confirmed there were no additional occupants inside.

Officers responded at approximately 11:17 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, to reports of a possible deceased person in the water near the 1300 block of Canal Boulevard, according to the Richmond Police Department. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased individual, and detectives were called to the scene.

Lt. Donald Patchin, a department spokesman, said the case is being treated as a suspicious death pending autopsy results, but said there is no active threat to public safety.

“At this time, there are no signs of foul play, and the incident is being investigated as a suspicious death as we await the results of the autopsy,” Patchin said. “Due to the body being found in the water and the cause of death being unknown, we have to treat it in this manner.”

The identity of the deceased has not been released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Richmond Police Department Dispatch at 510-233-1214.

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