Man dies after driving through floodwaters in Brunswick County

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) —  The State Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly accident after a vehicle drove through floodwaters and became submerged.

It happened early Tuesday morning on NC 211 near Stone Chimney Road.

The NC Highway Patrol says around 12:17 a.m., a blue Subaru Cross Trek, driven by Richard Walton Robinson, 80, of Southport, drove around stationary Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office vehicles, which had blue lights activated, and into the high water.

The sheriff’s office vehicles were blocking the roadway, which had become impassable due to floodwaters at the Lockwood Folly River Bridge.

Robinson’s vehicle became fully submerged, with first responders unable to locate it during a swift water rescue attempt. The following day, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team recovered the vehicle with Robinson inside.

Authorities said neither alcohol nor speed were factors in the collision.

The investigation remains ongoing.