A man died Monday afternoon after the vehicle he was riding in plunged into the Kettle River near Willow River, Minn., and he was trapped inside.
A dive team pulled the 47-year-old victim from an SUV that was submerged in about 14 feet of water just after 6 p.m., according to a statement from the Pine County Sheriff's Office.
The victim's name has not been released and results of an autopsy are pending.
Three men were inside a Ford Escape that went into the river about 3:50 p.m. The driver, a 43-year-old man, was able to free himself and was arrested at the scene. He was taken to the Pine County jail on a preliminary charge of criminal vehicular operation. Formal charges may come after a review by the Pine County Attorney, the sheriff's office said.
A second passenger, 48, also was also able to get out of the vehicle safely.
Authorities have not said how the vehicle landed in the river and continue to investigate.
Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768
