On June 11 at 1:57 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded the Wayside Welcome Center in King George, Va., for the report of a drowning. Investigation revealed Loan Phuong Nguyen, 20, of Cheverly was on a raft with two juveniles in the Potomac River and was between 150 and 200 yards from the shoreline in choppy water when she became detached from the raft. A witness observed Nguyen struggling and went out to assist her but she went underwater and the witness was unable to locate her. The two juveniles were brought safely back to shore.
After a two hour search, Charles County Dive and Rescue Team located the victim and she was pronounced dead on the scene. Nguyen was not wearing a life jacket and could not swim. The raft she was on was not designed for open water and the 120 pound weight restriction was exceeded by the victim and the two juveniles.
Det. G. Draheim investigated.