(Update 11 p.m.) – The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department said a man’s body has been recovered from the water where a submerged vehicle was found Tuesday evening just south of St. Joseph.

According to Col. Bill Puett with the department, deputies received a 911 call around 7:24 p.m. of a partially submerged vehicle in the water near Bankers Crossing just off of 59 Highway. Puett said when deputies arrived on scene less than 12 minutes later the vehicle was fully submerged.

“Deputies swam out and started looking for a vehicle and located one in the water,” Puett said. “One deputy stayed with the vehicle and tried to search it and didn’t locate anyone while the vehicle was under water.”

A tow truck pulled the vehicle out and no one was found inside. Puett said the Missouri State Highway Patrol was called in to assist and began dragging the water and authorities then pulled man’s body from the pond.

Sgt. Jake Angle with the highway patrol said the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control has been requested and will be leading the investigation.  He said further information will be provided as the investigation moves forward.

Puett previously said the highway patrol is taking over the lead on the case as it appears to be a fatal car crash. However, Angle said he cannot confirm that as authorities are still investigating to determine what happened.

The investigation continues.