On Wednesday morning, the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office was contacted in reference to a vehicle in the river on KY 38 at Closplint.

Through further investigation, it was discovered that the accident occurred during the evening hours on Tuesday. The vehicle was submerged in the river and was only discovered after the river had subsided the following morning.

The operator of the vehicle, Rebecca Johnson, 46, of Closplint, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Harlan County Coroner’s Office.

The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by the Harlan County Rescue Squad and Evarts Police Department.

The collision is being investigated by Chief Deputy Matt Cope.