Pike County authorities recovered the body of a woman from a creek in northern Pike County early yesterday morning. On Sunday at 10:18PM, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department along with the Barry Fire Department, Pike County Emergency Corps, Pike County EMA and the Pike County EMS were dispatched to Hadley Creek in between Baylis and Barry due to a vehicle that was stalled in a low water crossing in Hadley Creek. It was reported that a female passenger had been swept away by the rushing water.
Upon arrival by emergency services, a search for the female was conducted. At approximately 1:28AM yesterday, the body of 36 year old Michelle R. Bowen of Louisiana, Missouri was recovered over 1500 feet upstream of the location that she was swept away.
The driver of the vehicle, 33 year old Bruce J. Richards of Barry, was later arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. The incident is still under further investigation by the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and more charges are pending.
Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood commended the volunteers on the Barry Fire Department and the Pike County Emergency Corps for their efforts in the response to the incident. Greenwood also wants to remind motorists to never drive through moving water at a low water creek crossing if you are not familiar with the crossing, especially after a rainstorm when the water level is elevated.