12/06/2025
Driver Found Dead After Vehicle Pulled from Mill Pond in St. Louis
A vehicle submerged beneath the ice in the Mill Pond of the Pine River was recovered Saturday afternoon with a deceased driver inside, according to St. Louis Police Chief Richard Ramereiz.
In a press release, Ramereiz said officers were dispatched at about 8:08 a.m. after a caller reported damage to a guardrail on North Main Street, south of Prospect Street.
“The caller did not witness the crash but observed the damage and notified authorities,” he said.
Upon arrival, police found evidence that indicated a vehicle had gone over the guardrail and into the river.
“No vehicle was visible from the roadway, and no tracks suggested anyone had exited the river,” Ramereiz said. “The ice was broken, and automobile parts were observed frozen in the ice. Due to the steep riverbank and snowy conditions, officers were unable to access the area.”
The St. Louis Area Fire Department and the Alma District Fire Department Dive Team were called in and located the submerged vehicle in approximately 15 feet of water, though limited visibility prevented them from entering it.
With assistance from Gratiot Towing, the vehicle was recovered at 1:29 p.m., and one individual was found inside, Ramereiz said.
Authorities have since identified the driver, but the name is being withheld pending notification of family.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, Ramereiz said.
