An Otwell man ignored the barricades and road closed signs and drove into the flood river at State Road 257 at the Daviess/Pike County line on Monday morning.
Authorities say he approached from the Pike County side and his 2000 Toyota was swept away by the moving water. 62-year-old James Seitz had to climb on top of the vehicle and there he called for help.
He was rescued by an Otwell Volunteer fireman in the fireman’s private boat in the nick of time. His vehicle was swept away after he got into the boat.
Sherrif Jerry Harbstreit told the Washington Times Herald it appears the barricades were moved by someone else and an opening had been created. Harbstreit said he’ll contact INDOT in Vincennes about the situation as the barricades are supposed to be filled with water or sand so they cannot be moved.
Seitz was cited for disregarding a traffic control device.