Vehicle driven into Mississippi River in Lansing, driver uninjured

Monday, August 14, at approximately 5:25 p.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office received a report of a vehicle being driven into the Mississippi River off of Front Street in Lansing. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Michelle Rose Timmons, age 51, of McGregor had driven her car into the river but was able to escape and swim toward the shore, getting assistance from bystanders in the area.

Timmons then left the scene, but bystanders went to the nearby Lansing Fire Station and alerted firefighters that Timmons had driven her vehicle into the river. The vehicle was retrieved from the water at approximately 10:30 p.m. and a dog was located deceased inside the vehicle as a result of drowning.

Timmons was located shortly after the incident and taken into custody. She was not injured but she was transported to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon for treatment and is being held for evaluation. Charges are pending in the incident, which remains under investigation by the Lansing Police Department and Allamakee County Sheriff's Office. Assisting at the scene were Lansing Fire and EMS, La Crosse, WI Dive Team, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Brennan Marine and Hennessy Towing.