UPDATE: Search efforts concluded at Hauser Lake

UPDATE: The law enforcement search of Hauser Lake has ended.

“We did not find anyone in the lake. The investigation is ongoing,” said Undersheriff Brett Nelson, in a message to The Press.

Nelson said they believe they have identified the subject of the investigation.

“He may possibly face DUI and most likely reckless driving and evading and possibly some others (charges) as the investigation continues,” Nelson said.

3:35 p.m. Saturday, July 15

Law enforcement personnel are searching Hauser Lake for an individual believed to have gone on foot into the lake after eluding sheriff’s deputies and state troopers by vehicle.

“We are treating it as a possible drowning,” Undersheriff Brett Nelson said.

The incident began, Nelson said, after deputies and troopers responded earlier today to a report of a DUI driver around the lake.

A trooper spotted the vehicle, and the driver eluded him. Deputies then saw the vehicle traveling across a resident’s property. The driver turned the vehicle around and continued attempting to drive away from the deputy.

A citizen observed the individual get out of the vehicle and enter the lake, Nelson said.

“He has not come back out,” said the undersheriff.

The Sheriff’s Office has deployed divers, marine deputies and the office’s helicopter to assist in the search.

Nelson said the individual faces charges of DUI and reckless driving if he is found to have not drowned.