Stolen vehicle ditched in the water at LeTourneau

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — A stolen SUV was found partially submerged in the Mississippi River at LeTourneau Landing late Tuesday night after being abandoned, prompting a rapid multi-agency emergency response.

Just before 10 p.m., Vicksburg Warren 911 received a report of a vehicle sinking in the water near the landing. Callers initially believed two people were inside the black SUV.

Warren County firefighter Nick Davies, who is also a river pilot, was en route in a firetruck when he used a phone app to identify the nearest vessel on the river. He made radio contact with the Amy T., which launched a skiff that quickly reached the scene. The skiff crew confirmed the SUV was unoccupied.

A subsequent search of the area turned up no victims in the water.

“We’re fortunate to have these resources available,” said Warren County Fire Coordinator Jerry Briggs. “The heads-up thinking by Nick Davies put resources in the water quickly. Several of our county firefighters work the river, and that’s a plus for the citizens of Warren County.”

Josh Davies, Nick’s brother and also a Warren County firefighter, was the first to enter the water with diving equipment. He thoroughly searched the SUV to confirm no one was trapped inside.

Multiple agencies responded, including the Warren County Fire Service, Rescue, Fire Medic, Battalion 1, Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace, Sheriff’s deputies, Investigator Dustin Keyes, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

“Vicksburg Warren 911 received a call that there was a vehicle in the Mississippi River at the LeTourneau Boat Landing,” said Sheriff Pace. “Some young people reported seeing the tail lights of the vehicle. It had just been reported stolen, or was being reported stolen at about the same time. That part is under investigation.”

The SUV, which was registered and reported stolen locally, is part of an ongoing investigation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. No injuries were reported.