The search for Rodrigo “Rico” Montes ended in heartbreak Thursday morning in Lake Station, Indiana. The 18-year-old was found dead in Deep River, just days after a crash that had left his family desperate for answers and clinging to hope.
Authorities say Montes’ body was located about 50 feet from where a submerged truck had already been pulled from the water earlier in the week. That vehicle had been recovered near the intersection of 27th Avenue and Wyoming after reports of a crash surfaced early Monday morning.
For days, crews combed the area, focusing their efforts on the river where the truck had been found. The discovery of Montes’ body brought a painful close to a search that had quickly grown urgent after he failed to make it home Sunday night.
Family members said Montes had been at a cookout nearby and was expected back by 11:00 p.m. When midnight passed without a word, worry turned into panic. His brother, Moises Montes, said they reached out to police and began calling hospitals, hoping for any sign that he was safe.
What happened in the hours that followed only deepened the mystery. According to relatives, the driver of the truck showed up at their home around 4:45 a.m. Monday, accompanied by their own parents. The driver appeared shaken and confused, telling the family he did not know where Montes was after the crash. He was later taken for a mental health evaluation.
Police have since confirmed that a suspect is in custody, though officials have not released details about the arrest or any potential charges. Investigators are still working to piece together exactly what led to the crash and why Montes was left behind.
At River Forest High School, where Montes was a senior, the loss is being felt deeply. He was known as a dedicated member of the wrestling team and a young man who carried himself with quiet determination. Friends and family described him as someone who cared deeply for others and always showed up when it mattered.
His brother said Montes had been thinking seriously about life after graduation. He was considering a future in construction management or skilled trades, eager to build something meaningful for himself.
As the investigation continues, one question hangs heavily over those who knew him: what really happened in those final moments, and why didn’t he make it home?
