Officials Identify Man Found Dead After Driving SUV Into Lake Norman

DENVER, NC — Catawba County deputies are still investigating what led to a man’s death after his body was found submerged in front of his partially SUV Monday at a Lake Norman boat ramp.

Investigators say a resident across the lake reported seeing a vehicle in the water around 3:45pm at a boat ramp on Pebble Bay Drive. Responding deputies found the SUV at the end of the ramp with its front wheels in the water when they arrived.

Deputies say 77-year-old Robert Sullivan was then found submerged in the water in front of the vehicle. Emergency crews attempted CPR, but say Sullivan was pronounced dead on the scene.

Investigators say they still aren’t sure what led to Sullivan’s car being driven into the water, or the circumstances surrounding his death. An autopsy is being performed at Baptist Medical Center to determine exactly how he died.

Check back for updates.