An afternoon of fishing on Jacksonville's Northside turned into a grim discovery Tuesday when two men spotted a submerged car in a retention pond off Max Leggett Parkway, behind the Dick's Sporting Goods and across from River City Marketplace. Inside the vehicle, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office investigators said, was the body of an elderly woman.
Car Spotted By Men Out Fishing
According to News4JAX, the two men noticed the vehicle in the water around 4 p.m. and called 911. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office dive team responded, and a contractor later pulled the car from the pond. Only then did crews discover the woman inside.
Investigators believe the crash likely happened earlier in the day, and they are still trying to determine how and why the car ended up in the water.
What Investigators Have Revealed So Far
As reported by First Coast News, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office identified the victim as an elderly white woman who was not a Jacksonville resident. Detectives have not yet determined whether a medical episode or a mechanical problem played a role in the crash.
The Sheriff's Office said the case is being counted as Duval County's 71st traffic fatality of 2026. The medical examiner will ultimately rule on the official cause of death.
Out Of Sight Behind The Parkway Shops
JSO described the location as removed from usual public activity. The agency told reporters, "It's not in a location that would ordinarily be of any significant danger to the community. It's an isolated backside," according to News4JAX.
The scene sits on the Parkway Shops side of Max Leggett Parkway, behind the cluster of big-box stores near River City Marketplace. Authorities noted that while Jacksonville has seen other vehicles end up submerged in retention ponds, this is the first recorded incident at that particular pond.
Investigation Still Active
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation and is asking anyone with information to contact the agency. As noted by First Coast News, officials plan to release more details as they become available.
For now, investigators are waiting on the medical examiner's findings and following up on leads in hopes of clarifying what caused the car to leave the roadway and end up in the pond.
