Modesto man drowns at Woodward Reservoir after his kayak reportedly capsizes

A Modesto man drowned Saturday morning at Woodward Reservoir after his kayak reportedly capsized.

Carlos Evans, 55, was attending a family barbecue when he took a kayak out about 10 a.m., according to Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Erich Layton. Evans, who authorities said was not wearing a life jacket, was about 100 yards offshore when the kayak capsized.

Deputies, with the help of the Modesto Fire Department, searched for Evans for almost two hours. The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was called in to take over and a diver discovered Evans’ body about 1 p.m., Layton said.

This is the third reported drowning at an area reservoir in the past two months.

Eudoro Garcia, 64, drowned while swimming about 40 yards offshore at Modesto Reservoir on July 23. Carlos Lopez, 53, drowned after swimming about 50 yards from shore at Woodward Reservoir on July 9. Neither of the men wore life jackets.