Crews are searching for a second day for an 18-year-old man believed to have been in a pick-up truck that was discovered in the Deep River early on Monday morning in Lake Station, Indiana.
Family members have many questions.
Rodrigo Montes, known to friends and family as Rico, was last seen at about 10 on Sunday night, according to family.
His brother, Adolpho Montes, told WBBM he was getting a ride home from a 17-year-old friend after a cookout.
He said they were doing “18-year-old stuff” in the friend’s pick-up, including driving recklessly.
The 17-year-old was driving, Montes said, and he crashed the pick-up.
It would be found hours later, at about 4:20 a.m. on Monday, upside down in the Deep River near 27th Avenue and Wyoming Street.
Hobart Fire Department
Montes said the driver had minor injuries and he either walked home or got a ride from someone, leaving his brother at the crash scene.
Later, Montes says, he showed up at the family home.
“He told my mom he does not know my brother or he was not with him,” Montes said, “even though my little brother had Snapchat videos of that night with him.”
He said they’ve known each other since the fourth grade.
Montes said the 17-year-old has “lawyered up,” and police have shared little information with the family.
There has been an extensive search that started early Monday morning and continued today.
There have been divers in the river and drones overhead.
The family was holding out home that Rico Montes walked away from the crash and would be found.
They, too, have been searching for him.
