Scottsdale, AZ – A 38-year-old man was found dead Wednesday morning in Scottsdale after a vehicle became submerged in floodwaters during recent monsoon storms. The body of Ander Pallares Polanco was recovered near Roosevelt Street and 77th Street after a search that began Tuesday evening.
The incident underscores the dangers posed by flash flooding in the desert Southwest, particularly during the monsoon season. Polanco’s family reported him missing around 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday after they hadn’t heard from him. Authorities initiated a search, temporarily closing the roadway in both directions, but an initial aerial and drone sweep indicated the vehicle was unoccupied.
Fire crews and police decided to monitor the vehicle overnight as water levels began to recede. Around 6 a.m. on Wednesday, when the water dropped to 4-5 feet, officials re-entered the area and discovered Polanco’s body pinned beneath a walkway bridge, submerged in 5-6 feet of water outside the vehicle. A water rescue boat was deployed to recover the body.
The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death.The Scottsdale Police Department and Scottsdale Fire Department are continuing to investigate.
