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Man dies in hospital after being pulled from Catawba River, CMPD says

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating a death that occurred in west Charlotte early Saturday morning after two officers tried to save a man who was found in freezing water.

CMPD said Monday they tried to pull 35-year-old Steve Ibarra over Saturday morning, but he took off. His vehicle was located a short time later along Windy Grove Road.

While investigating the scene, police said they heard a man yelling for help along the Catawba River.

“It was this storm of blue lights and sirens at the top of our driveway, neighbor Micheal Mattick said. “I think he was trying to evade the police in some fashion, I don’t know whether he knew it was a dead end road or not. Then the two officers jumped in and they swam nearly to the other side of that little cove”

Ibarra later died at the hospital, CMPD said. They have not confirmed if the man who died was connected to the original incident.

CMPD said two officers were also taken to an area hospital for treatment but have since been released.

“Then the two officers jumped in and they swam nearly to the other side of that little cove,” Mattick said.

Police have not confirmed if the man who died was connected to the original incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a homicide unit detective.


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