Port Police Recover Vehicle With Unidentified Male in Cab

GALVESTON, TX (Friday, December 27, 2024) - The body of a male was found in the cab of a pickup truck recovered from Galveston Harbor at Pier 20 at 7:07 p.m. Friday, according to the Port of Galveston Police Department.

Authorities will release the identity of the deceased once confirmed and after next of kin have been notified. Authorities are investigating the cause of death and details surrounding the incident.

Port police began investigating a possible vehicle in the water Friday morning after public reports of pier railing damage. Port police reviewed port security video, which showed a pickup truck driving into the water at 2:14 a.m. A port police patrol boat was dispatched to the scene shortly before noon. Port police used sonar to locate the vehicle at a depth of 29 feet.

According to Port of Galveston Police Chief Kenneth Brown, port police and Galveston Police Department divers coordinated recovery work Friday afternoon. Due to poor visibility, police could not confirm if anyone was in the cab until the truck was brought to the surface. A heavy-duty tow truck removed the vehicle from the water.

The multi-agency response included the Port of Galveston Police Department, Galveston Police Department Marine Dive Team and Accident Investigation, Galveston County Sheriff's Office Marine Division, the Galveston County Medical Examiner, and the Galveston County District Attorney's Office.