A teenager from the Houston area was discovered dead inside a vehicle that had become submerged in an East Texas creek, according to local authorities. After the teen was reported missing after failing to return from a Saturday vacation to Houston County Lake, deputies and rescue workers began searching flood-prone areas of the road, finally locating and recovering the vehicle.
According to ABC13 Houston, deputies searching along FM 229 noticed damage to a guardrail near Loop 304 and eventually discovered the vehicle’s front bumper and license plate about 70 yards down the creek. About 30 yards downstream, they spotted the roof of a submerged vehicle. A Texas Parks and Wildlife search-and-rescue crew retrieved the teen’s body from the car, and the Crockett Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Crockett Fire Department also helped with the recovery, according to the station.
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office led the search. Sheriff Zak Benge is listed on the county website, which also gives contact information for records and public questions. The Crockett Police Department serves the county seat city and is normally in charge of crash investigations. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department educates game wardens and has specialized search-and-rescue teams that assist local agencies with water-related recoveries.
Investigators told ABC13 Houston that due to recent heavy rains, parts of FM 229 have been flooding on a regular basis. An emergency management officer who saw the damaged guardrail off Loop 304 assisted deputies in locating the vehicle. During and after storms, officials warn that runoff and standing water can sweep vehicles off the road and into surrounding rivers and ditches.
Authorities have not officially recognized the teen or stated where they resided in the Houston area, and investigators have yet to identify the cause of the crash. Crockett police and Houston County detectives said the investigation is ongoing and urge anyone with information to contact local law enforcement.
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