NELSON COUNTY, KY – Authorities have identified a 72-year-old man who was found deceased inside a submerged vehicle in northeast Nelson County on Sunday night. Officials believe the man, Gregory A. Pipps of Bardstown, may have suffered a medical emergency before his vehicle veered off the road and into a pond.
Emergency crews from the Northeast Nelson County Fire Department responded to the 300 block of Chaplin Road around 10:30 p.m. after a caller reported seeing taillights glowing from the water. Upon arrival, first responders discovered a vehicle fully submerged approximately 65 feet from the pond’s edge. Firefighters quickly launched a rescue operation using a boat to reach the vehicle.
Once on the scene, responders recovered Pipps’ body from inside the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife are leading the investigation, working to determine the exact cause of the accident and whether a medical episode played a role in the crash.
Investigators have not yet released details on how long the vehicle was in the water before it was discovered. Authorities are also examining whether road conditions, visibility, or other external factors contributed to the accident. An autopsy has been scheduled at the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office to determine Pipps’ official cause of death.
The tragic incident has left the Bardstown community mourning the loss of Pipps. Friends and neighbors described him as a kind and well-respected individual. “He was a good man, always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need,” said one neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. They urge drivers to remain vigilant while on the road, especially at night, and to report any unusual vehicle activity to law enforcement. Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or local authorities.
