Driver drowns after authorities find truck in Osage River

UPDATE 10/25: Public records show the driver of the vehicle, Byron Baker, has died of drowning.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that Baker drove his truck into the river using the access ramp. Baker exited the vehicle but did not surface.

ORIGINAL STORY: Law enforcement was on the scene in Cole County near the Osage River Monday.

ABC 17 News first started hearing reports about the incident around 6:00 Monday morning.

Troopers on scene told our ABC 17 News crews that someone had driven a truck into the river from a boat ramp.

It’s unclear if the driver was hurt in the incident, but troopers say there was no water rescue.

Troopers say they’ve now towed the truck out of the river and say the investigation is ongoing.

They were also seen with boats in the area.

ABC 17 News has called the Missouri State Highway Patrol for additional information who tell us the Cole County Sheriff’s Department is handling the case.

According to Captain John Wheeler, as of 3pm Monday, officers were still trying to locate the truck’s owner, who is an Osage county resident.

This is a developing story. We’ll update this story as we confirm more information.