Springdale Woman's Body Found In Submerged Vehicle

A Springdale woman's body was pulled from a vehicle submerged in the White River in the Nob Hill area, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Lorianne Gillespie, 24, was found dead Sunday night in a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. Several agencies assisted in removing the vehicle from the water by using air lift bags.

The accident occurred about 10 p.m. on Blue Springs Road, according to a news release from the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

After a preliminary investigation, investigators determined the vehicle was southbound and Gillespie may have failed to negotiate a curve right after crossing the Blue Springs Bridge, according to the news release. The vehicle left the roadway, traveled down the embankment and went into the water, according to the news release.

Gillespie's body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab on Monday morning to determine cause of death, said Kelly Cantrell, public information officer at the Sheriff's Office. The victim's family was notified, and the investigation is continuing.

Agencies including the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Benton County Sheriff's Office Dive Teams, Hickory Creek Fire Department, Nob Hill Fire Department, Springdale EMS and the Washington County Urban Search and Rescue Team went to the accident.

NW News on 06/17/2014

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