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Boat owner has bad day at American Lake boat launch in Lakewood, photos show

By Rolf Boone
Lakewood police and rescue teams retrieved a truck from American Lake after it rolled into the water at a boat launch on Saturday.
Lakewood police and rescue teams retrieved a truck from American Lake after it rolled into the water at a boat launch on Saturday. Lakewood Police Department Courtesy

A pick-up truck was removed from American Lake Sunday morning, according to Lakewood police.

The truck rolled down the boat launch on the north side of the lake early Saturday evening, said Sgt. Charles Porche.

The driver backed down the launch to pull the boat out of the water, but forgot to put the vehicle in park, he said.

The boat launch was closed early Sunday morning so the truck could be removed. It took about an hour to pull it out of the water, Porche said.

These kinds of incidents happen about once a year, he said.

“Boat and vehicle have been recovered,” a Lakewood police social media post reads. “Ramp and park are open for business. Enjoy the sun and safe boating. Shout out to the Pierce Metro Dive Team for the assistance.”

The boat launch on the north side of American Lake was closed Sunday morning so the truck could be removed, according to Lakewood police.
The boat launch on the north side of American Lake was closed Sunday morning so the truck could be removed, according to Lakewood police. Lakewood Police Department Courtesy

This story was originally published August 10, 2025 at 11:25 AM.

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