A passing motorist discovered a tire of a partially submerged vehicle at South Northshore and Northshore Town Center Blvd just after 7:45 this (Dec. 31) morning. Police and Knox County Rescue Squad dive teams reported finding a Toyota 4-Runner overturned in the water and a man’s body inside.

Knoxville Police Department Public Information Officer Darrell DeBusk  said the victim has been identified as Tyler Wheatley, 23, of Knoxville. ”According to the preliminary investigation, it appears the 1998 Toyota 4-runner was traveling south on Northshore when the driver went off the roadway on the right side of the road. The driver over corrected and went across both lanes of Northshore. The vehicle then hit a guardrail and flipped over onto its top landing in the water. The driver was wearing a seat belt. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. The investigation is continuing,” DeBusk added.

WES HALL

W.Hall@theknoxvillejournal.com