Divers pull body from Columbia River near the blue bridge in Tri-Cities

A body was spotted in the Columbia River near the blue bridge by the Columbia Park boat dock in Kennewick about 11:45 a.m. Saturday.

Emergency dispatch communication with officers indicated that one or more people fishing on the river had seen what they thought was a log in the river.

About an hour later they realized it was a body.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded with a boat and Columbia Basin Dive Rescue was called out to pull the body from the river.

Kennewick police identified the body as Joaquin Gutierrez-Velasquez, 46.

The death does not appear to be suspicious, but are investigating, according to police.

Both lanes of Columbia Park Trail were closed to traffic under the bridge near the Lampson Pits at the east end of the park while emergency crews worked.

This story was originally published August 5, 2023 at 6:27 PM.