Joshua Watson, Shranda Milam, and Krista Whitt Killed After Car Plunges Off Ramp into Mississippi River at Kentucky Barge Facility

Three people have died after a car plunged off a ramp and into the Mississippi River at a barge facility in western Kentucky, according to authorities.

The victims have been identified as Joshua Watson, 42, of Louisville, Shranda Milam, 38, of Wingo, and Krista Whitt, 30, of Paducah, the Hickman County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

Crash at Barge Facility

The fatal incident occurred on the night of Saturday, March 28, at an Ingram Barge Company fleeting facility in Columbus, Kentucky.

According to officials, employees at the facility reported hearing a “collision” and then discovered what appeared to be a vehicle that had struck a ramp before plunging into the Mississippi River. Authorities were immediately notified.

Recovery Effort

First responders arrived at the scene and initiated a recovery operation. A diver from McCracken County Emergency Management entered the water and located the submerged vehicle.

The diver then attached the vehicle to a wrecker, allowing it to be pulled from the river.

Once the car was brought back onto land, officials confirmed that all three occupants inside were deceased.

Victims Identified

Authorities said all three victims were traveling in the same passenger vehicle at the time of the crash. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Hickman County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details about how the vehicle left the roadway or what caused it to strike the ramp.

Investigation Ongoing

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

In a statement, officials thanked multiple agencies for assisting in the response and recovery effort, including McCracken County Emergency Management, Kentucky State Police, Buddy’s Wrecker Service, Ingram Barge Company, and local first responders.