A submerged vehicle was discovered Tuesday in the Pecan Bayou on private property off of County Road 381 (Old May Road) prompting an investigation by law enforcement.
Brown County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation and determined that the vehicle was likely sent into the water intentionally many years ago.
Brown County employees worked with an excavator Wednesday to hook the vehicle and pull it out of the bayou. According to BCSO investigator Vance Hill, the vehicle was coming out in pieces due to its state of deterioration.
Once out of the water, mid-morning Wednesday, investigators were able to locate the serial number of the vehicle and determine that it was a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass. According to Hill, the vehicle had been reported stolen in 1985 to the Early Police Department. Although the steering wheel appeared to have been tied with a rope in order to make it drive straight into the water, no charges will be filed against any suspect in the case as the statutes of limitation for possible causes of its submersion, both unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and insurance fraud, have both passed since the car’s disappearance more than 26 years ago, said Hill.
Investigators were relieved to find the steering wheel tied which indicated there was no driver at the time of the vehicle’s trip into the bayou, and they stated that there were no human remains found. Investigators said that there is no way to know exactly where the vehicle initially went into the water as the vehicle has likely moved downstream over time.
BCSO was assisted by Brown County employees, Early Police, and Early Volunteer Fire Department at the scene.
Pictured above is the vehicle as found in the bayou. Below are photos of the removal of the vehicle. Photos contributed.
