Shortly after 6 p.m. on Nov. 29 Natchitoches Parish Sheriff ’s Deputies, the NPSO Dive Team and Archie’s Towing Service responded to reports of a submerged vehicle in Cane River near the 3500 block of La. Hwy 494 south of Melrose.
Deputies arrived on scene and spoke with the caller, who reported that while sitting in his 2010 Chevrolet pickup in a private driveway, the truck began experiencing mechanical issues. He advised that he placed the truck in park and pressed the accelerator to adjust the idle.
Moments later, he shifted the vehicle into reverse, at which time the truck suddenly accelerated backward, crossed La. Hwy 494, traveled down an embankment and crashed through a pier landing before entering Cane River where it became fully submerged.