In a tragic incident on Wednesday night, a woman lost her life after a patrol car driven by a deputy accidentally plunged into the Tennessee River. The District Attorney, Russell Johnson, confirmed on Friday that the woman was wearing handcuffs at the time of her death. The deputy had arrested her near the Highway 60 bridge and was en route to the booking when the accident occurred on Blythe Ferry Lane.

Authorities had received a report of a disturbance involving two individuals, prompting Deputy Robert Leonard to respond to the location. Unfortunately, it appears that Deputy Leonard, a recent transplant from New York, was unaware of the dangers posed by this particular stretch of road. As a result, the patrol car veered off, crashing into the water.

A massive search operation was launched, and it wasn't until the early afternoon that authorities discovered the woman's body inside the submerged vehicle. Covered in a thick layer of mud and silt, the body was identified as that of a female who was handcuffed, confirming that she had been in custody as previously speculated from Deputy Leonard's calls to dispatch.

The identity of the deceased woman has not yet been released pending autopsy results. The Knox County Regional Forensics Center is currently working on a positive identification and will notify the family before making the information public. The Meigs County Sheriff's Office is collaborating with the District Attorney's office to gather booking information, photographs, and fingerprint cards to aid the medical examiner in their investigation.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to retrieve Deputy Leonard's body, which was located shortly before sundown on Thursday. A caravan of Meigs County Sheriff's Office deputies traveled to Knoxville to bring him back to Meigs County, with their return expected later on Friday. Funeral arrangements for Deputy Leonard have not yet been announced.

This tragic incident has left the community mourning and seeking answers. More details about the circumstances surrounding the accident are still being investigated, and updates will be provided as they become available. The police and local authorities are in contact with the woman's family and hope to share her story once she has been officially identified.

The loss of two lives in this devastating incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of law enforcement procedures and the need for increased awareness of potentially hazardous roads.