A Green Monster Lurking in Wainiha River?

The green Jeep submerged in Wainiha River. Photo courtesy of Kaua‘i County

A loud bang and a splash drove a local resident to investigate what happened at Wainiha River. What appeared to be a large green monster with big, gloomy eyes lurking just below the water’s surface turned out to be a submerged green Jeep.

The police responded Saturday to a report of a submerged vehicle in the Wainiha River, near the Wainiha twin bridges, according to a Kaua‘i County news release. When the responding officers arrived on the scene, they found a green Jeep Wrangler completely underwater in the river, along the east side of the bridge.

According to a preliminary investigation, local authorities believe the driver of the vehicle may have struck the bridge, and then reversed into the river.

A witness in a nearby home heard the crash and went to the scene, where he saw the vehicle’s headlights shining in the water, according to county officials. The witness jumped into the river, but found that the Jeep was empty. The driver of the vehicle had apparently fled the scene.

County officials said the police have already contacted the Jeep’s owner to have it removed from Wainiha River. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the police.

The green Jeep submerged in Wainiha River. Photo courtesy of Kaua‘i County

The submerged vehicle was found Saturday on the east side of the Wainiha twin bridges. Photo courtesy of Kaua‘i County