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Driver identified after vehicle found in Columbia River at base of I-205 bridge

Portland police confirmed that the body of Antonio Amaro-Lopez, 57, was found inside the vehicle.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Authorities have identified the driver found in a submerged vehicle in the Columbia River four days after witnesses said a southbound driver lost control on the Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge and went over the guardrail on Interstate 205.

Portland police confirmed that the body of Antonio Amaro-Lopez, 57, was found inside the vehicle. 

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) dive team located the vehicle Wednesday afternoon. The sheriff's office tweeted at 3:33 p.m. Wednesday that they were preparing to dive into the river after spotting "an object that resembles a vehicle" at the base of the bridge.

Amaro-Lopez's body was later recovered. Plans to recover the vehicle are underway, police said.

Police said the crash happened late Sunday afternoon during the tail end of a winter storm that blasted the metro area with snow and ice. Police said they believe winter weather conditions were a factor in the crash. 

The MCSO River Patrol conducted sonar scans of the river Monday and Tuesday as part of their search for the vehicle.

Family members believed Amaro-Lopez was the victim of the crash. They said he was likely heading from his work in Vancouver to his home in Southeast Portland when the crash took place. 

Credit: Amaro family
Antonio Amaro Lopez

He worked for his family's restaurant, Amaro's Table, which has locations in Vancouver and Hazel Dell. Amaro-Lopez is a husband and father to three daughters. 

RELATED: Family fears loved one crashed off I-205 bridge during winter storm

RELATED: Search continues for vehicle that went over Glenn Jackson Bridge guardrail on I-205

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