Man found dead in truck partially submerged in ice in the St. Lawrence River
Jan. 21—CLAYTON — A 49-year-old man is dead after apparently driving his 2019 Ford truck into the St. Lawrence River, Jefferson County Sheriff Peter R. Barnett said Sunday evening.
The man was identified as Jeremy T. Hubbard, from Jordan, Onondaga County.
Barnett said the call came in shortly after 7:30 a.m. Sunday from a neighbor at the intersection of Emery Avenue and Rivershore Drive in Clayton for a vehicle partially submerged in the ice.
The Coast Guard and Clayton Fire Department also responded to the scene, where the coast guard's assessment found a dead body inside the truck.
A news release from the Sheriff's Office states that the vehicle was driven off of Rivershore Drive and onto the ice, becoming mostly submerged in the water after it was driven out farther into the bay on thinner ice.
The news release states that the initial investigation found that the vehicle went through the ice at 8:43 p.m. Saturday.
"The cold was a big factor because that ice was freezing very quickly," Barnett said.
The sheriff treated the scene as a crime scene, but foul play is not suspected. It appears the man was the only person in the vehicle, Barnett said.
The state police underwater recovery team responded to the scene at about 1 p.m. and the body was removed from the vehicle.
The vehicle has been impounded and is in the sheriff's department possession.
Barnett said he doesn't trust the ice.
"Be darn careful, be cautious, be hesitant, use common sense," he said of people looking to go out on the ice. "I don't like (the ice) because I don't want anybody to get hurt."
The investigation is ongoing.
Hubbard was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Alex Bay and Clayton fire departments, Thousand Island Rescue Squad, state police, United States Coast Guard, Department of Environmental Conservation, the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office, and Vantassel's Towing also assisted at the scene.
Warning posted
On Saturday morning, the Town of Clayton Fire Department had issued a warning on its Facebook page that even though the temperature dipped below zero in the area for the first time Friday night, it has not been cold enough long enough to trust all the ice in the frozen bays of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
Along with the warning, the department posted a photo of a trailer that broke through the river ice Friday.
"If you're out Ice Fishing don't be like the guy in the first picture, because we really don't want use the boat in the second picture," the Fire Department stated. The second photo was a photo of its iceboat.
"If you're out today, be cautious and continuously check your ice conditions. The picture of the trailer through the ice was taken yesterday — there is also an ATV attached to it."
Chaumont Hardware is updating ice conditions on its Facebook page for eager ice fishermen who have not had many opportunities this winter.
"IT WAS WALKED ON TODAY, FRIDAY, BUT NOT COMFORTABLY..now sitting at 9 degrees AND HEADED FOR 0, crystals are growing FAST NOW, there will be guides and experienced anglers CHECKING the ice tomorrow and we will build a report by Sunday afternoon....Earlier if we can..stay tuned," Chaumont Hardware posted. "When u do go on thin ice, never go alone, stay off til daylight, carry a walking stick or spud, a whistle, ice picks, cleats, and bring a rope...stay topside everyone!"
Ice safety guidelines
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has ice safety guidelines posted on its website.
"Safe ice should be your number one consideration when ice fishing. A minimum of three to four inches of solid ice is the general rule for safety," the DEC warns. "Ice thickness, however, is not uniform on any body of water. The guidelines presented here are based on new, clear ice on non-running waters. Since ice thickness can vary on a lake, check the ice periodically to stay safe."
2 inches or less — Stay Off
4 inches — Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5 inches — Snowmobile or ATV
8-12 inches — Car or small pickup
12-15 inches — Medium truck
