BISMARCK, N.D. (AP Jun 20, 2013) – Authorities have recovered the body of a man who drowned after the pickup he was driving in was swept off Highway 32 near Gwinner.
 
     The  pickup was retrieved from the swollen Dead Colt Creek about 1:45 p.m. Thursday.
 
     Sargent County Sheriff Travis Paeper says the pickup was in water between 8 to 12 feet deep.
 
     The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports, the man has been identified as

48 year old James John Materi of Lisbon.

The report says, a  Chevrolet Silverado was northbound on Hwy. 32 about 6 miles north of Gwinner.  The Chevy approached a water covered portion of Hwy. 32 that had warning signs placed by NDDOT and a NDDOT employee flagging traffic about the high water (approximately 8-12 inches deep).  The Chevy entered the high water around 20-25 mph and while crossing the high water area, the Chevy was swept into the east ditch of Hwy. 32.  The Chevy then was carried down stream along the swollen creek (Dead Colt Creek) for about 300 yards.  The vehicle was on top of the water for approximately 15 minutes and then disappeared under the water around 8:00 am.

The vehicle remained under the swollen creek until it was recovered, intact, around 1:45 pm by Valley Water Rescue and Richland County Dive Rescue.  Mr. Materi was still inside the vehicle.  He was pronounced dead on scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

 
     The North Dakota Department of Transportation has reopened Highway 32 between Gwinner and Lisbon after the water receded. Highway 13 remains closed.