SUV crashes into Mississippi River, passenger missing

Rescue and recovery crews are searching the Mississippi River near Ramsey, Minn. for a passenger of an SUV that went off the road and ended up partially-submerged in the water early Friday morning.

ALCOHOL LIKELY A FACTOR

At 1:30 a.m. Friday, a call came in that a car drove into the Mississippi River on the 6100 block of Rivlyn Avenue NW. Anoka County sheriff's officials said the two men drove around a house and into the river, but it's unclear why.

Police said alcohol was likely a factor in the crash.

PASSENGER PLUNGED JUST BEFORE RESCUE

According to Ramsey police, the first officer to arrive on the scene saw the SUV about 175 yards from shore. There was one person on the roof of the car, but they fell into the water just as a rescue boat was being launched from shore.

A 42-year-old man who stayed inside the SUV was rescued and brought back to shore, but was uncooperative with officers and "very vague" in his replies to questions. He was taken to the hospital and treated for hypothermia.

The shoreline of the river was scanned Friday morning, but no footprints were located. A surface check of the river turned up no signs of the missing passenger, but a water search will continue during daytime hours.