Investigations continue into Isabella Pond fatality, witnesses urged to come forward

Police divers were needed to find the green Holden Commodore and its driver in Isabella Pond. Photo: ACT Policing.

Investigations continue into what caused an 18-year-old man’s green Holden Commodore to veer off of Drakeford Drive and into Isabella Pond at the weekend as police call for the community’s help.

The driver was found deceased following the incident late Saturday (22 July) afternoon.

ACT Policing Major Collision Team Acting Sergeant William Stevenson said the car had been travelling northbound along Drakeford Drive in Tuggeranong, past the intersection with the Isabella Drive roundabout.

“[The car] left the road to the right-hand side and entered into Isabella Pond, which is between the northbound and southbound lanes,” he said.

The Commodore was quickly submerged, while witnesses immediately called Triple Zero (000).

Act Sgt Stevenson said first responders arrived on scene less than five minutes after those calls, and police officers attempted to reach the driver and anyone else inside the vehicle.

“They did enter the water but found it was far too deep and the vehicle was submerged up to a depth of about 4-5 metres,” he said.

Police divers were called, who found the 18-year-old “with no signs of life”.

Act Sgt Williamson said police weren’t ruling anything out as to what caused the driver’s vehicle to enter the water, but it did not appear to have been deliberate.

“All avenues of inquiry are being investigated … but there’s nothing to indicate that at this stage,” he said.

“We do have a picture of what occurred in the moments leading up to [the incident], but what we don’t have is a picture of what the was vehicle doing prior to that.”

It is hoped the vehicle’s distinctive green colour would have caught someone’s attention in the lead-up to the incident, and anyone who may have previous knowledge of the Commodore and any CCTV or dashcam footage of it has been asked to come forward.

“Because it’s such a unique-coloured vehicle, you don’t see too many Commodores around the place anymore … Someone may have a memory of this or some information that may be important to us,” Act Sgt Stevenson said.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting reference 7489579.