Three Dead After Pickup Truck Found in Canal in Belle Glade, FL

Belle Glade, FL (July 16, 2026) – Three people were found dead after an overturned pickup truck was discovered submerged in a roadside canal on Tuesday morning, July 14, along Gator Blvd in Belle Glade.

Emergency units were dispatched at approximately 7:20 a.m. after a 911 caller reported seeing a vehicle in the water. The caller did not witness the pickup entering the canal, and it remains unclear how long it had been submerged before it was found. When crews arrived, only the truck’s wheels were visible above the water in the narrow canal.

Divers searched the vehicle and the surrounding water before paramedics pronounced three people dead at the scene. The identities of those who died have not been released. Once the recovery operation was complete, the case was turned over to investigators, who are working to determine how the pickup entered the canal. Additional details have not been made public.

The cause of the fatal wreck remains under investigation as officials continue to gather information.

Our heartfelt condolences are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

Why Water-Related Roadway Crashes Can Be Difficult to Investigate?

When a vehicle is found submerged in a canal, lake, or other body of water, determining exactly what happened can take considerable time. Investigators examine the vehicle’s mechanical condition, roadway features, weather, visibility, and any available surveillance or witness information to build a timeline of the moments leading up to the vehicle leaving the road.

The amount of time a vehicle remains underwater can also affect the investigation. Water may alter physical evidence, making it more challenging to determine factors such as speed, vehicle direction, or whether occupants were able to escape. Specialists may also inspect the roadway for tire marks, damaged barriers, or other signs that help explain how the vehicle entered the water. As more evidence is reviewed, investigators can develop a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding these types of tragedies.