Hoover man drowns in Cahaba River after falling off stationary log

Hoover man drowns in Cahaba River after falling off stationary log

Authorities have released the name of a Hoover man who drowned in the Cahaba River Sunday.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office Tuesday identified the victim as Jesus Garcia-Ruic. He was 26.

Authorities said Garcia-Ruic drowned when he fell from a stationary log that was jammed perpendicular in the river. Family told fire officials that he did not know how to swim.

Irondale Fire Chief Josh McDaniel said rescue teams were called to the river along Grants Mill Road about 7 p.m. Family members of the victim told authorities Garcia-Ruic had gotten separated from them in the water and they could not find him.

Firefighters from Irondale, Cahaba Valley and Vestavia responded to the river to begin their search.

McDaniel said they deployed their drone team and also had teams in the water searching.

Less than an hour later, they spotted the victim’s body under the water. They recovered his body and pronounced him dead on the scene at 7:43 p.m.