PATTERSON — The body of a missing 15-year-old boy was recovered Friday morning, four days after a fatal crash sent a vehicle into the California Aqueduct near Patterson, authorities said.

Aaron Ramirez, of Patterson, was identified as the passenger in a 2003 Nissan SUV that veered off northbound Interstate 5 and entered the aqueduct north of Sperry Avenue on Aug. 5. His father, 55-year-old Raul Ramirez, was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency crews pulled the vehicle from the water.

The California Highway Patrol said the SUV was traveling in the fast lane around 6:30 a.m. when it made an unsafe turn to the right, crossed into the slow lane, and exited the freeway. The vehicle then traveled down a steep embankment for nearly 1,000 feet, broke through two sets of barbed-wire fencing, and plunged into the aqueduct.

Authorities initially believed Raul was the sole occupant of the vehicle. However, after the coroner contacted the family, relatives informed law enforcement that Aaron had also been in the SUV. The two were reportedly picked up a vehicle in Los Banos.

A search was conducted for Aaron and on Aug. 8, a family member located his body in the waterway approximately two miles south of the crash site. Patterson Fire Department personnel assisted in the recovery.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. It is not yet known whether drugs or alcohol were factors. Family members told ABC10 they believe Raul may have suffered a heart attack while driving.

Local drone operators were recruited to assist in the search efforts. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Dive Team also responded to the scene to aid in vehicle recovery.