Deceased driver pulled from submerged vehicle in Cedar Lake

VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. -- A driver died when his vehicle became submerged in Cedar Lake at the public access ramp Tuesday afternoon, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies were called to the Cedar Lake public access around 4:40 p.m. on April 2 after someone called 9-1-1 after witnessing the Hyundai travel backwards into the lake and sink.

When the first responders arrived, the vehicle was fully submerged approximately 20 yards from the shore. The driver was still inside the vehicle.

The Lawton Fire Department along with the driver of a wrecker used a nearby boat to pull the driver from the vehicle.

Deputies said the driver, 59-year-old John Salvatore Catalino, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Van Buren County Dive Team and True's Towing pulled the empty vehicle from the lake.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.