Car in the water near Columbia Island Marina, near the Humpback Bridge, Sun. Aug. 24

[TwoWheelsDC]

My wife and I debated on taking the W&OD to MVT or the Custis to MVT to come across the 14th St bridge to the Nats game. Ultimately took the W&OD, which was good, otherwise we would’ve been on this part of the trail right around the time this happened. Hope the driver is okay!

[PotomacCyclist]

It appears that the driver was already dead when a tour boat operator spotted the submerged vehicle.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/northbound-lanes-of-gw-parkway-closed-as-police-conduct-water-rescue/2014/08/24/67b66f66-2baa-11e4-994d-202962a9150c_story.html?hpid=z3

[PotomacCyclist]

The NBC link has been updated with video of the accident/crime scene. No word yet on why the driver veered off the GW Parkway. He/she crossed the MVT, over a grassy area and across a side path of the trail and into the water. Maybe a heart attack? Something else?

[Emm]

@PotomacCyclist 93213 wrote:

The NBC link has been updated with video of the accident/crime scene. No word yet on why the driver veered off the GW Parkway. He/she crossed the MVT, over a grassy area and across a side path of the trail and into the water. Maybe a heart attack? Something else?

I grew up in MI where this is sadly not uncommon since there are lakes and rivers EVERYWHERE. Usually heart attack, stroke, or seizure Occasionally it’s due to drugs/alcohol, but that seems less common from my memory.

The sad part is, even if people see it happen, it can be almost impossible for an untrained person to rescue the individual(s) in the car if there’s a current or the water is deep.

[Author]

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