Friday, Jul. 11, 2008

Highland Village Copperas Park Site of July 5 Drowning

A weekend meant for celebration turned somber when a 26-year-old man drowned Saturday while swimming in Lake Lewisville at Copperas Branch Park on July 5.

The city of Highland Village press release stated that Eugenio Reyes was last seen around 4:30 p.m. swimming with friends. The Highland Village dispatch was notified at 7:16 p.m. that Reyes was missing.

The Highland Village Fire and Police departments, the Lewisville Fire Department dive team and Texas Parks and Wildlife staff searched until about 10:45 p.m. The search resumed at 7 a.m. Sunday and the deceased was found 30 yards from the shore about 12:10 p.m. No signs of foul play or evidence of alcohol use were found.

According to Public Affairs Manager Laurie Mullens, this is the first drowning of the year, if not the first ever at the park.

“I’ve been here six years and this [drowning] is the only one I am aware of,” Mullens said.

According to Mullins, there are no lifeguards on duty at the park and signs are posted in English and Spanish to swim at your own risk. The Tarrant County medical examiner’s office is investigating the incident.