The Gary Police Department announced Monday that a woman had died after driving her vehicle into a contaminated body of water near Buffington Harbor Saturday.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman as Sheila Harris, 75, of Gary. The cause and manner of death are pending. The coroner’s office was called to the scene at 6:03 a.m.
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The investigation remains ongoing.
When the woman called 911, she said her vehicle was sinking, according to the release from police.
“Lake County Emergency Center dispatchers utilized rapid location technology to narrow the caller’s location to the area near the entrance of Buffington Harbor,” the release said. “Gary Police Department officers, along with the Gary Fire Department and East Chicago Police Department, responded to the area and immediately began searching for the vehicle. Despite their initial efforts, the vehicle could not be located.”
Officers later obtained surveillance footage showing a white Hyundai vehicle entering the area and driving into the water. Responders found the vehicle submerged in about 12 feet of water.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources divers were unable to safely enter the water and access the vehicle, according to the release. A DNR representative was unable to immediately respond to a request for comment Monday afternoon.
A representative for Lake County’s Hazardous Materials team was also unavailable Monday.
Responders had to suspend recovery efforts to bring in specialized equipment and resources to address environmental conditions. They used pumps to remove contaminated water and lower the water level to continue recovery through the night.
“Once the water level was lowered sufficiently, the hazmat team safely accessed and recovered the vehicle,” the Gary police release said.
Fire personnel entered the vehicle after it was decontaminated, finding the deceased woman inside. The Lake County Coroner’s Office assisted with the investigation.
“The Gary Police Department also extends its deepest condolences to the victim’s family during this difficult time,” the release said.