L.A. man, 36, drowns near Lake Tahoe over Memorial Day weekend

A 36-year-old man from Lancaster drowned near Lake Tahoe over Memorial Day weekend, authorities announced Monday.

Officials with the Truckee Police Department said an emergency response was launched on Donner Lake just before 5 p.m. after reports that the victim, identified as Juan Carlos Garcia-Gutierrez, was last seen struggling to stay above water.

Donner Lake is in Truckee, approximately 15 miles north of Lake Tahoe.

Investigators said Garcia-Gutierrez had been out on the water in a pontoon boat when he decided to go for a swim without a flotation device.

“Once in the water, wind conditions caused the boat to drift away and ultimately he was unable to reach the safety of his vessel,” investigators said in a news release.

The lake’s boat launch was temporarily closed as first responders conducted the recovery effort, though difficult weather conditions nearly suspended the search. As darkness approached, wind conditions died down and police continued to look for the victim.

Using a remotely operated underwater vehicle, first responders located Garcia-Gutierrez’s body around 9:20 p.m. in more than 100 feet of water.

“The decedent was brought ashore and released to the Nevada County Coroner’s Office, who serves as the County Coroner,” the release stated.

Police officials thanked the Truckee Fire Protection District and the California State Park Police for their assistance in the recovery operation. They also extended their condolences to the victim’s friends and family.