Moses Lake man found dead in overturned vehicle

MOSES LAKE, Wash-- A Moses Lake man was found dead inside his car Sunday morning after the vehicle rolled over into an irrigation canal about five miles southeast of Ephrata.

According to the Grant County Sheriff's Office, emergency crews responded to the area of the W20 canal road at the east end of Road 8-Northwest east of Dodson Road Northwest where they found a 2004 Mazda 6 upside down in the canal at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

Investigators believe the driver tried to turn around, causing the right rear tire to roll over the embankment. The vehicle then slid over the embankment, rolling onto its top into the irrigation canal which was full of water.

The driver, identified as Michael Mendoza, 33, was found deceased inside the vehicle. 

Investigators say Mendoza was not wearing a seatbelt, but it's unknown whether he had unbuckled it in an effort to escape the vehicle.

The Grant County Coroner's office is expected to conduct an autopsy.