RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — After a car was pulled out of the James River in the Stratford Hills neighborhood in Richmond’s Southside, a man who lives nearby says the incident is bizarre, but unsurprising given the behavior of drivers in the area.
At around 4:23 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, Richmond Police Department officers and Richmond Fire Department crews were called to the 7900 block of Riverside Drive after it was reported that a silver sedan was seen in the James River.
The Richmond Fire Department’s Water Rescue team responded and checked the vehicle, as well as the surrounding area. No one was found in the sedan, which was removed from the water. Police said no one was found in the area.
“I was in bed and about somewhere around 5 a.m., maybe a little bit before. I saw these flashing lights reflected all the way on my bedroom ceiling up there,” said Ed Cunningham, who lives near Riverside Drive.
Cunningham said the incident is bizarre, but it wouldn’t be the first time something like this has happened.
“A lot of things happen here down on Riverside Drive,” said Cunningham. “Frankly, I wish there was more of a police presence down here. There’s people that drive too fast on Riverside, there’s a lot of pedestrian traffic.”
Cunningham said this incident is just one of many that have happened along Riverside and thinks more should be done to curb bad driving and protect people enjoying the river.
“Some speed bumps on Riverside Drive,” said Cunningham about what he would like to see change on the road. “The speed limit is 25 and everybody goes 40 or 50.”
Police are continuing to investigate the incident, anyone with information is asked to call Richmond Police at 804-646-5100.
