Man drowns while trying to retrieve car from retention pond on city’s northeast side

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A 34-year-old man died Sunday morning while trying to retrieve his car from a retention pond on the city’s northeast side.

According to Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Rita Reith, dive crews were called to 4060 Pendleton Way just before 4:45 a.m. on reports of a man in the water. That’s the address for a strip mall near Pendleton Pike and Interstate-465.

Crews arrived to the scene eight minutes later and quickly found the man in the water. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Authorities learned the victim called a tow truck driver to the pond to help him retrieve his Chevrolet Camaro. Authorities are still investigating to determine what led to the car ending up in the pond.

The tow truck driver and the victim got into the water together in an attempt to hook the vehicle up to the truck. The tow truck driver told authorities the man “became distressed,” struggled in the water and nearly took the tow truck driver underwater with him. The tow truck driver got out of the water for his own safety and called 911.

The identity of the victim has not been released.