Update: Submerged car and two bodies recovered from Indiantown pond

(Updated 7/28/2022)  – On July 25, Martin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Detectives were on the scene at Indiantown Avenue and SW Warfield Boulevard in Indiantown, Florida, after they received a 911 call from a passing motorist about two bodies seen floating in a pond at that location.  First responders managed to locate those bodies, and with help from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and Martin County Fire Rescue, located a vehicle submerged in the pond where the two bodies were found.

The vehicle was located by using sonar equipment provided by Florida Fish and Wildlife. Once detectives were able to determine there was a vehicle in the pond, Martin County Fire Rescue (MCFR) sent in their dive team. The MCFR Dive Team located the vehicle and assisted Kauff’s towing in removing it from the pond.

Both occupants of the vehicle have been identified and the Sheriff’s Office is awaiting the notification of next of kin.  This case will be investigated by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigators.

Although stopping short of sharing the names of the victims, authorities did say that there was one man and one woman found deceased in that pond.

Update: On July 27, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office announced that the man and woman have been identified as Vincent Vibert Thomas, 64, and 47-year-old Ongela Anetra Smith, both of Palm Beach County.  According to WPTV, it was Thomas’ car that was pulled from the water.  Thomas lived in Mangonia Park and Smith lived in an unincorporated area of the county.

Investigators said late Monday afternoon they do not suspect foul play in this case and believe the people died after the vehicle crashed into the water, possibly Saturday night.  ~ WPTV

For more on this tragic accident, see the video accompanying this article.

(Source and images: Martin County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter