The incident took place at the Salem County Sportsmen's Club in Carneys Point Township, police say.
CARNEYS POINT TWP. -- A woman was found drowned in her car Sunday morning after apparently making a wrong turn and driving into a creek, authorities said.
The victim, identified as Cathy Shorter, 60, of Grieves Parkway in Salem, had been at an event at the Salem County Sportsmen's Club Saturday night, according to Carneys Point Police Lt. Michael Colletti.
The private Salem County club is located deep in a wooded area off the eastbound lanes of U.S. Route 40. It is a popular spot for outdoors activities and its clubhouse is used by members and also rented out for social functions.
A member of the club doing a routine grounds check Sunday morning discovered the woman's Mazda 626 floating in Game Creek near the club's boat ramp Sunday between 10:30 and 11 a.m., Colletti said.
"This is just a tragic accident," said Carneys Point Chief of Police Gerald Krivda. "Apparently she made a wrong turn."
Authorities believe the woman left what was described as a family event at the clubhouse between 8 p.m. and midnight. Instead of making a right turn in a fork in the driveway to head back out to U.S. Route 40, she turned left and unknowingly headed to the club's boat ramp and drove into the water, police believe.
The boat ramp is about a third of a mile or so from the clubhouse.
A large number of fire and rescue units were called to the scene Sunday enjoining along with members of a dive team.
The woman's body was found in the car which was about 105 feet from the boat ramp, the chief said.
A tow truck pulled the vehicle from the water.
According to Krivda, the county medical examiner was on the scene. An autopsy on the woman is expected to be performed Monday morning.
Her car was impounded as part of the investigation.
Krivda said surveillance video from the club on Saturday night will also be checked.
The Carneys Point Police Department is leading the investigation with assistance from the Salem County Prosecutor's Office. Carneys Point Investigator Matthew Petrutz is in charge of the case.
Along with Carneys Point Fire Department and Rescue Squad, among the other responders on the scene were units from Salem and Penns Grove and the Downe Township Dive Team along with fire police.
Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. A Find NJ.com on Facebook.