Highway Patrol identifies metro-east man who drowned in Missouri river

A Madison man drowned in a Jefferson County, Missouri, river known for its “very strong currents,” authorities said.

Guadalupe L. Lopez, 33, was pronounced dead Tuesday afternoon at the scene along the Big River in Rockford Park, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

A highway patrol report states Lopez “entered the water and went under the surface and was unable to self rescue due to swimming ability.”

“The area has very strong currents and does produce dangerous conditions that should be respected,” according to a report by the Jefferson County Department of Parks and Recreation. “We do not recommend wading or swimming in the Big River.”

Lopez is the second person to drown in the Big River this week.

A Valley Park, Missouri, woman drowned in the river in Francois County on Sunday, according to a highway patrol report.