ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala. — The Riverside community is mourning the loss of Deepamat Sodhi, who passed away after his vehicle was found submerged in the Coosa River early Friday morning, January 16.
According to Riverside Mayor Rusty Jessup, Riverside Police responded to a report of a car in the water near Riverbend Road around 7:45 a.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered a vehicle partially submerged in the river and observed a man inside. The Pell City Police Department Dive Team was called to the scene and later recovered Sodhi from the vehicle.
Officials confirmed that Deepamat Sodhi was a resident of Riverside. Authorities believe his car entered the water sometime late Thursday night, January 15, or shortly after midnight. Surveillance video from a nearby business reportedly shows Sodhi leaving a parking lot in the area around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, helping investigators establish a timeline leading up to the tragic discovery.
The St. Clair County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that Sodhi’s next of kin has been notified. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding his passing. At this time, an official cause of death has not yet been released.
News of Sodhi’s passing has brought sadness to those who knew him, as family, friends, and community members remember his life and the impact he had on those around him. Authorities continue to work to piece together the events that led to the vehicle entering the river.
As the investigation remains ongoing, officials say additional information will be shared as it becomes available. The Riverside community continues to keep Sodhi’s loved ones in their thoughts during this difficult time.
