Entiat man, missing since last week, found inside vehicle in the Columbia River

U.S. Highway 97A temporarily closed, Dec. 8, for recovery of vehicle and driver. Photo courtesy: Chelan County Sheriff's Office and NCWLife.com

An Entiat man, reported missing to law enforcement last week, was found Monday inside his submerged SUV in the Columbia River just south of Entiat.

Washington State Patrol investigators believe Justin Lasater’s Nissan Pathfinder, for reasons still under investigation, left U.S. Highway 97A and went over an embankment and into the river. Lasater was pronounced dead at the scene.

The discovery of the vehicle, late Monday morning, and the recovery of Lasater, 24, and the vehicle, caused a temporary closure of the highway.