Jeep Cherokee Drowns in Pennsylvania Flood, Factory Fresh & All
Jeep Cherokee owner took a shortcut through Pine Grove to get to work, only to encounter a massive swell on the way.
Jeeps can handle nearly everything, from the toughest trails of Moab, to the ever-present danger in war zones around the world. Stock or modified, whatever is dished out, Jeeps can take it.
But sometimes, the situation can overwhelm any given Jeep. Norfolk, Virginia’s NBC affiliate WAVY-TV has the story of Zachary Reichert, whose brand new Jeep Cherokee was caught in the changing tides of fate.
On his way to work, Reichert made a detour through Pine Grove, Pennsylvania in his Cherokee when a flash flood swept upon North Tulpehocken Street. As he told his NBC affiliate, WBRE-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the flooding “just happened out of nowhere.” The flash flood killed the Cherokee, prompting Reichert to call 911.
He then climbed to the roof of his Cherokee to live stream the really live stream on Facebook Live while waiting to be rescued. At one point during the stream, the flash flood starts to move the Cherokee. Despite the disturbing development, Reichert, a military vet who’s likely seen much worse (and admits he can’t swim in the first place), kept his calm and stood his ground.
Thankfully, he wasn’t carried away by the raging waters. Instead, volunteer firefighters drove up to the water-logged Cherokee to carry him off to safety. Alas, he did have to bid farewell to his new Jeep, which is definitely totaled now. Reichert says he respects the volunteers’ commitment and dedication to the Pine Grove community.
He’s also thankful that his 19-month-old son wasn’t with him at the time. However, with more rain to come this week, he’ll likely find another detour off of I-81, far away from the soggy streets of Pine Grove. Let’s just count him lucky to be alive.
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