7 p.m. UPDATE — Washington State Patrol has released new information identifying the man found deceased inside a submerged vehicle off U.S. 97A south of Entiat on Monday.

According to a WSP press memo, 24-year-old Justin J. Lasater of Entiat was driving northbound near milepost 211 when, for reasons still under investigation, his 2001 Nissan Pathfinder left the roadway to the east, went over an embankment, and entered the Columbia River. The vehicle became fully submerged. Lasater was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin notifications were completed by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. 

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ENTIAT – US 97A was shut down for several hours Monday afternoon just south of Entiat after authorities located a submerged vehicle in the Columbia River containing a deceased person, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Investigators believe the vehicle left the roadway sometime overnight Tuesday or early Wednesday in a spot not visible from the highway, making it difficult for passing drivers to detect. The person inside had been reported missing by family members after failing to arrive at their destination while traveling north from Wenatchee.

A Chelan County Sheriff’s Office helicopter located the vehicle Monday morning, spotting it roughly 10 feet beneath the river’s surface. Recovery operations required closing a portion of US 97A as crews worked to bring the vehicle out of the water.

The identity of the deceased has not yet been released. The investigation into how the vehicle left the roadway remains ongoing.