03/24/2026
UPDATE - UPDATE: Body Recovered in Search for Missing 18-Year-Old in Lake Station
Lake Station — The search for a missing 18-year-old following a submerged vehicle discovery in Deep River has come to a tragic end.
Conservation Officers resumed operations early Thursday morning utilizing drones, sonar equipment, an ROV, and multiple dive teams. Crews also established a rope system to allow divers to methodically search targeted areas downstream from the original crash site.
At approximately 11:00 a.m., authorities confirmed a recovery was made in the water. The victim is believed to be 18-year-old Rodrigo Montes, who had been missing since Sunday night. Formal identification and cause of death are pending through the coroner’s office.
At this time, a suspect is in custody with charges pending. Due to the nature of this case and those involved, no further information regarding the suspect will be released.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remains ongoing. Authorities continue to ask anyone with additional information to contact the Lake Station Police Department.
The family extended a heartfelt thank you to the entire community for coming together with strength, support, and determination in the search for Rodrigo. “Your prayers, shares, and efforts truly made a difference during such a difficult time. While this is not the outcome we had hoped for, we are grateful that family can now begin to find closure. Please continue to keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”
The Lake Station Police Department extended their sincere gratitude to the Lake Station Fire Department, Crown Point Dive Team, Hobart Dive Team, Lake County Eagle Units, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its Dive Team, Hobart Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the Indiana State Police, NWI K9 Search and Recovery, all Drone Operation Units, the local businesses who cooperated with the investigation, and the public for their patience and cooperation during this difficult time.
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more information is released.
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Search Underway for Missing 18-Year-Old After Vehicle Found Submerged in Lake Station
Lake Station — A large-scale search effort is underway in Lake Station after an overturned vehicle was discovered in Deep River early Monday morning, prompting concerns for a missing 18-year-old male believed to have been inside.
According to the Lake Station Police Department, officers were dispatched around 4:20 a.m. on March 23, 2026, to the area of 27th Avenue and Wyoming Street after receiving a report of a vehicle overturned in the water.
Authorities say multiple agencies, including dive teams, responded to the scene to assist in an extensive search operation. As of this writing, crews are actively working to locate a male subject believed to have been inside the vehicle at the time of the incident.
The missing individual has been identified as Rodrigo Montes, 18, who was last seen around 10:00 p.m. on March 22 in Lake Station. Montes is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing around 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Fire officials confirmed that the incident involves a single vehicle and noted that the search remains ongoing. Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area and allow first responders the space needed to safely conduct operations.
Police are urging anyone with information related to Montes’ whereabouts or the incident to contact the Lake Station Police Department at 219-962-1186 or email [email protected].
This remains an active and developing situation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
