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The crash occurred just after midnight, Friday, Feb. 9 in Darien.
A late model Nissan Rogue traveling eastbound on Tokeneke Road (Route 136) crossed into the westbound lane, left the roadway near the village of Rowayton line, struck fencing, and then plummeted into the Five Mile River where it meets the Long Island Sound, according to Capt. Jeremiah Marron Jr. of the Darien Police Department.
Numerous Darien officers quickly responded to the location and found the vehicle almost fully submerged in the near-freezing water, Marron said.
At the time of the incident, debris from the crash could be seen floating out toward Long Island Sound in an outgoing tide.
Marron said officers quickly located a victim floating face down in the outgoing current approximately 100 yards from the accident scene.
Two Darien officers then jumped into the water, brought the unresponsive victim to a nearby private dock, and immediately initiated lifesaving resuscitation efforts.
The Darien Fire Department members, equipped with cold water gear, entered the water and began searching for additional victims.
Shortly after the search was initiated, firefighters recovered a second victim from the submerged SUV, he added.
The victim was turned over to EMS personnel for treatment and then transported to an area hospital where the victim was pronounced dead.
"The medical condition of the first victim located is unknown at this time," Marron said.
Neither the gender nor identity of the victim is also not currently known.
During the rescue effort, it was initially undetermined if additional victims were unaccounted for. Over the next several hours, numerous mutual aid agencies assisted in the rescue effort.
Several marine vessels, air assets, and SCUBA divers were deployed.
"At this time, there is no indication that there are any additional victims nor any indication that any other vehicle was involved in this collision", Marron said.
The two Darien Police officers who entered the near-freezing water to rescue the first victim are currently being treated for injuries and exposure at area hospitals.
This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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