GADSDEN, Ala. — One person was killed in a single-vehicle accident early Sunday morning in the Tillison Bend community, according to responding agencies.
Emergency units were dispatched to 301 Riverview Drive after a pickup truck left the roadway, drove through a fence, and entered a pond at the entrance of Tillison Bend Campground. Authorities determined that at least three people were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Two occupants managed to escape the submerged vehicle and ran to nearby homes to request that 911 be called and to seek help. A third individual was given lifesaving efforts at the scene but was pronounced dead.
The two survivors told first responders they were unsure whether a fourth person had been in the vehicle.
Units from Gadsden Police, Gadsden Fire, Glencoe Fire and Police, the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, and State Troopers responded to the scene. The Etowah County Dive Team was also called in, along with an ALS medic unit, to assist in recovering the vehicle and searching the water to determine whether an additional occupant was present.
Divers, working alongside Thacker Wrecker, recovered the vehicle with no additional individuals found inside. As of 10:30 a.m. Sunday, divers remained in the water to ensure no one else was in the body of water.
After discussion among agencies, it was determined that investigators with the Gadsden Police Department would handle the investigation.
WEIS will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.