Woman Found Dead In Car Submerged In Paulding Creek

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — The car of a Paulding County woman who never made it to work was found submerged in a rain-swollen creek Wednesday night, its driver dead.

Amanda Lindley, 36, of Cohran Store Road in south Paulding County, was identified as the victim in statements from both the Paulding County Sheriff Sheriff’s Office and Paulding County Fire and Rescue.

Lindley had been on her way to work at a Douglas County convenience store in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. When she didn’t show up for her shift, she was reported missing at about 3:30 a.m.

At 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, a family member called 911 after spotting debris in Sweetwater Creek, at a bridge near 1823 Friendship Church Road in the Paulding County section of Douglasville. According to authorities, the debris looked as if it might belong to Lindley’s silver 2004 Mercedes E320.

Paulding first responders arrived soon thereafter and saw evidence a vehicle may have left the road and could be submerged in the rain-swollen creek. Crews from Douglas, Carroll and Cobb counties were called to help.

Just after 10 p.m., divers from Carroll County Fire & Rescue found the car with Lindley inside, under 20 feet of murky water.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating what caused the accident. Both the Paulding County coroner and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are working to determine the cause of death, with the GBI to perform an autopsy. No foul play is suspected, according to the Paulding sheriff’s statement.

According to the National Weather Service’s website, part of Sweetwater Creek near Austell had reached flood level on Tuesday, one day after a deadly tornado swept through the area, leaving a Douglasville man dead. The creek wasn’t expected to subside to its normal level until late Thursday night.

RELATED:

• Flooding Blocks Road, Park Underwater In Lithia Springs
• Douglasville Restaurant Owner Killed When EF-1 Tornado Hits