WYANDOTTE (WWJ) - Authorities say a 55-year-old woman tragically died after she purposely drove her car through a railing at Bishop Park in Wyandotte and crashed into the frigid Detroit River on Thursday afternoon.
The Wyandotte Police Department said the vehicle, with the deceased woman inside, were still submerged in the water at Bishop Park on Van Alstyne and Vinewood streets, due to dangerous river conditions.
"She drove through the parking lot and into the water," police said around 8 p.m. via The Detroit News. "All my guys have cleared from there, and all I can say is the car is still submerged with her in the water."
Police said the incident was not an accident and had been ruled a suicide after it was determined the woman internationally drove her car into the river.
Initially, the woman's vehicle came to rest on ice with first responders attempting to reach the woman by tossing over a life raft and rope, but the woman did not acknowledge them, authorities said.
Shortly afterward, the ice gave way and the car was engulfed by water.
Police stated that divers were unable to get into the water to recover the woman's body or the vehicle due to shifting ice in the river.
The U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring conditions and will notify the department when it is safe to conduct recovery efforts.
Wyandotte Police Chief Brian Zalewski released the following statement to WWJ regarding the incident on Friday morning:
I can confirm that a vehicle operated by a female was driven through the waterfront barriers at Bishop Park, and in to the Detroit River. The investigation is ongoing, but information leads us to believe this was an intentional act. Rescue/Recover attempts were made last night by the Downriver Mutual Aid Dive Team, US Coast Guard, and Wayne County Sheriffs Marine Division. The thick ice flow made it impossible and too dangerous to send divers in to the river. The ice flow will be assessed daily to confirm a date/time for a safe recovery of the victim and vehicle.
For those in crisis, help is available. Suicide prevention resources include:
• The National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached over the phone by dialing the three-digit code “988.”
• Crisis Text Line is another resource, offering a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential.
• The Veteran Crisis Hotline is 1-800-273-8255, press 1.
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