Car and occupant found in Columbia River after missing person was reported

On December 3rd, 2025 at approximately 2:30 pm, Justin Lasater, a 24-year-old Entiat man was reported missing. He had not shown up for work and he was last seen by friends in Wenatchee on the evening of December 2nd.

A deputy took the initial report and according to a tracking app, his last known location was on 97a North of Rocky Reach Dam. Deputies checked 97a north and Swakane Canyon but did not locate Justin or his white Nissan Pathfinder. A notice was put out to local agencies to attempt to locate and check the welfare of Justin.

On the morning of December 4th, Justin still had not been contacted. New information was obtained that Justin had been seen crossing the bridge northbound into Entiat. Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue as well as CCSO Deputies began thoroughly checking the Entiat River drainage over the next couple of days. Searching was unsuccessful.

On Monday December 8th, the weather finally allowed the Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit to fly the area. The crew was able to locate a white SUV submerged in the Columbia River just north of milepost 211 on 97a. Rescue swimmers from Chelan Fire Rescue were able to confirm the vehicle was Justin’s and that there was an occupant in the driver’s seat.

Washington State Patrol took over the incident since the collision occurred on the state highway. After the vehicle was recovered, the driver was positively identified as Justin Lasater.

The collision is still under investigation by WSP.