LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) are investigating a submerged vehicle discovered at the boat ramp in Shawnee Park Tuesday night, which they believe may have been abandoned after being stolen.
Around 9 p.m., a 911 caller reported that a vehicle had driven off the boat dock and into the water. The caller noted that the car’s headlights were still on, though it had already become submerged. LMPD responded swiftly, with first responders on the scene shortly after, and the department’s River and Dive Team entering the water by 9:14 p.m. to assess the situation.
Divers were able to recover the vehicle from the water, as reported by WDRB’s Christie Battista, who was on the scene. Witnesses also reported seeing someone being transported from the area on a stretcher. However, after further investigation, firefighters confirmed that no one was inside the vehicle when it was pulled from the water.
By 10:45 p.m., LMPD spokesperson Sgt. Matt Sanders issued a statement confirming that the vehicle had been reported stolen and appeared to have been “ditched” in the water. Authorities believe the vehicle’s submersion was intentional, possibly by the thief or thieves who abandoned it at the boat ramp.
The person seen being taken away on a stretcher has not yet been officially connected to the incident, and LMPD has not responded to inquiries regarding the situation.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to piece together the events surrounding the stolen vehicle and its discovery in Shawnee Park.
