Chautauqua County man found in submerged pickup truck
NORTH EAST, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the death of a Chautauqua County man whose pickup truck ended up in a body of water just over the state line.
According to a report in the Erie Times News, emergency crews were summoned around noon Wednesday to the Howard Eaton Reservoir, located in North East and Greenfield townships — west of Findley Lake in New York. At the time, a vehicle had been reported in the water.
An investigation has indicated no foul play after a 54-year-old Findley Lake man was located inside the submerged pickup truck. Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook told the Erie Times News it “appears to have been accidental,” though investigators were awaiting the results of toxicology testing on the victim.
According to the Erie newspaper, the man — whose name has not been released — was recovered from Howard Eaton Reservoir with the assistance of local firefighters and a dive team from Corry, Pa. The Chautauqua County man was reportedly seated in his truck, which was in reverse when it was found.
The pickup was later removed from the water, the newspaper said.
Pennsylvania state troopers and the Erie County Coroner’s Office also responded.