Tuscaloosa Investigators Recover Three Bodies From Submerged Vehicle

TUSCALOOSA, AL — In the latest update, investigators with the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit now say the bodies of three people have been recovered from a vehicle submerged in floodwaters near Holt. Foul play is not suspected.

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As Patch previously reported, investigators said a body was recovered from a vehicle after floodwaters receded in the area of Main Street NE and Short 19th Street NE.

"The vehicle was submerged and took some time time extricate," Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the unit, said Thursday afternoon. "One person was observed deceased in the vehicle at that time. The vehicle also contained a large amount of debris, mud, and water. VCU investigates all cases to the same standard. The decision was made to move the vehicle to a secure location before processing further inside to ensure no loss of potential evidence."

After mentioning that the bodies of three individuals were ultimately recovered from the vehicle, Kennedy said the investigation was ongoing.

"At this time, no evidence of foul play has been discovered," Kennedy said. "At this time, this appears to be the result of a traffic accident where the vehicle encountered floodwaters, or left the roadway, and then sank in the deeper drainage area."

Kennedy then said the vehicle was found just off the roadway in a drainage area or creek that had been flooded from the line of severe storms that caused widespread flooding on Tuesday.

"The vehicle was several feet under the water until the water began receding and the vehicle was discovered today," he said. "The water also covered the roadway at one point. All the three of the victim’s families have been notified."

The deceased individuals have not been publicly identified. Kennedy said their bodies are being sent to The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for autopsy.

He did say, however, that all three victims were adults and were acquaintances or friends, but not family.

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