2 Drownings in Russian River Spur Warnings After Busy Holiday Week

Two people drowned in the Russian River last week amid Fourth of July celebrations and a record-breaking heat wave, prompting authorities to warn that the popular waterway spanning portions of Sonoma and Mendocino counties can still pose a danger.

The first swimmer, identified as Santa Rosa resident Nasoni Tuitoga, 28, was reported missing Wednesday evening after swimming near Villa Grande in Monte Rio, according to a statement from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. The man is thought to have suffered a medical emergency before disappearing under the water, said Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman.

Tuitoga was found dead Friday afternoon in the same area he went missing after a days-long search by Sonoma County sheriff’s units, the Monte Rio Fire Department, and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office marine team.

On Saturday evening, Sonoma County deputies responded to reports that a second man, identified Monday as Pedro Ramirez Lopez, was drowning near Monte Rio Beach. The sheriff’s office reported that a bystander administered CPR to the victim, a 50-year-old Richmond resident, on the shore until first responders arrived. They continued with lifesaving efforts upon arrival, but he was pronounced dead on the scene.

Baxman said that the number of people who die in the Russian River each year varies, but the number this year — at least four suspected drownings — is significant.

“Some years we don’t have any, other years we have two or more, it just depends. This is getting to be more drownings than normal,” Baxman told KQED. He did not know how many people drowned in the river in 2023.

“We won’t have a drowning for a year or two and then we’ll have a couple,” he said. “You never know what the year is going to bring.”

The popular swimming spot has been busier than usual this year, he said — especially amid a record heat wave in California that began last week, during which Monte Rio saw temperatures in the mid 90s and low 100s.

There are safety measures in place to help keep visitors safe, including the Sonoma Parks Department’s Russian River Patrol lifeguards, who roam popular beaches along the river during summer weekends. There are also signs in English and Spanish with information about the river and life jackets available to borrow, according to Baxman.

Even though the river doesn’t have much of a current right now, Baxman said, it can still be dangerous, especially for non-swimmers.

“While it looks calm on the surface, the river can have strong currents, deep spots and drop-offs, and underwater debris. We urge everyone to practice water safety when they visit our beautiful river,” the sheriff’s office statement said.

Baxman said that people should still feel comfortable swimming in the river, but take necessary precautions based on their swimming skills.

“We want people to come up and enjoy the river. Please do that, but please be safe,” he said. “If you can’t swim, don’t go in the water. And if you do go in, please make sure you have some sort of flotation device.”

KQED’s Samantha Lim contributed to this report.