SPRING TWP., Pa. — A search that ended in tragedy. Sunday morning, first responders rushed to the former E.J. Breneman Quarry in Spring Township after reports that a vehicle may have gone into the water.
Police received a call at 6:44 a.m. on Sunday, reporting a water emergency at the 1000 Block of Yerger Blvd. at the former E.J. Breneman Quarry.
“We received some 911 calls about potentially a vehicle in that area that had crashed. And when police and fire responded out, they were able to determine that it had likely ended up in the quarry,” said Spring Township Police Chief Stephen Brock.
At first, crews couldn’t see anything. But investigators found tire tracks and debris leading toward the quarry. Divers then searched the water.
“So, then they took additional steps with the fire department and divers and were able to then confirm that there was a car at the bottom there,” Brock said.
A Deputy Coroner was requested to respond to the scene at 9:21 a.m. The victim, an 18-year-old man from Spring Township, was pronounced deceased at 11:38 a.m., according to a release from the coroner.
Police say the vehicle left Yerger Boulevard, traveled across a field and ended up in the quarry. Exactly what caused that to happen is still under investigation.
Police say cases like this are rare.
An autopsy was conducted on Monday at Reading Hospital. The cause of death was determined to be consistent with drowning. The victim has been positively identified; however, the identity is being withheld at this time due to the active and ongoing nature of the investigation.
“Our condolences to the family. It’s very sad. A young man lost his life unexpectedly, and we’re certainly going to do everything we can investigative-wise to try to narrow down exactly what happened,” Brock said.