ROCKPORT — A Spencer County community is mourning after a tragic accident Thursday night claimed the life of a local resident.
According to the Spencer County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a residence on the night of December 18 following a 911 call reporting a vehicle submerged in a private lake.
Witnesses told authorities that a 2024 Honda Pilot was traveling through a residential area when it careened through a garage and across a backyard before plunging into the water. When emergency responders arrived, the vehicle’s lights were reportedly still visible beneath the surface of the lake.
The driver was identified by officials as Matthew Gunn, 38, of Rockport.
The Boonville Fire Department Dive Team was called to the scene to perform a subsurface rescue. Divers successfully pulled Gunn from the submerged SUV, and he was rushed to a local hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he was later pronounced dead.
Chief Deputy Ryan Parsley stated that the investigation into what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and crash through the structure remains ongoing. Emergency teams remained on-site for several hours to manage scene reconstruction and the recovery of the vehicle.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office confirmed Gunn’s residency in Rockport and noted that an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday to help determine the exact cause of death.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the rapid response from multiple local agencies, including Luce Township Fire Department, Spencer County EMS and Boonville Fire Department Dive Team.
“The community extends its deepest condolences to the Gunn family during this incredibly difficult time,” the Sheriff’s Office shared in a statement.
