The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office have identified the second deceased victim in the Russian River over the long holiday weekend. On Saturday evening, 51-year-old Pedro Ramirez Lopez was struggling in the water just west of the Bohemian Highway Bridge. A paddleboard group managed to grab Lopez and pull him onto the paddleboard and attempted CPR until fire officials arrived. Despite these efforts and those from emergency officials, Lopez died at the scene. Just a day earlier, officials found the body of 28-year-old Santa Rosa resident Nasoni Tuitoga in the Russian River near Villa Grande.
With these recent deaths, there’s an urgent plea for anyone hoping to keep cool in the Russian River. First responders are begging locals and visitors to wear a life jacket if they can’t swim. Warning signs are posted near Monte Rio Public Beach, where life jackets can also be rented for free.
