Ethan Rhodes was 15 years old. He liked bowling with his dad. And as floodwater surged into their car in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the teenager begged his father for help — only to hear a response that would haunt investigators: "He was drowning too."
Background
The tragedy unfolded just before 9 p.m. on June 27 near the 860 block of Bewley Hollow Road, approximately 45 miles south of Louisville in Hardin County. Kentucky State Police say David Rhodes, 44, had spent the evening at a bowling alley where he consumed what he described to troopers as "a few beers" from a pitcher. Heavy rainfall and flooding had already saturated the area when Rhodes lost control of his Ford Mustang on the rural road.
The vehicle left the roadway and overturned in a creek that had turned treacherous with storm runoff, authorities said. Ethan, along with David Rhodes and another juvenile passenger, became trapped inside as water rapidly filled the cabin. Emergency crews pulled all three from the submerged car and rushed them to a hospital. Ethan did not survive. The other juvenile suffered head trauma.
David Rhodes was released from the hospital after being treated for minor injuries, according to WHAS-TV. His son had drowned.
The Investigation
In statements to Kentucky State Police obtained by WHAS, David Rhodes recounted the horrifying final moments before his son's death. He said Ethan asked what they should do as water filled the vehicle and begged for help. Instead of offering rescue or reassurance, Rhodes allegedly told his drowning son: "I don't know, he was drowning too."
Officers noted Rhodes displayed slurred speech and glassy eyes during their investigation. A blood alcohol test later revealed a BAC of 0.141 — nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 for adult drivers in Kentucky.
Rhodes has been charged with vehicular homicide, assault, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He remains held at Hardin County Jail on $250,000 bond.
Key Takeaways
- Ethan Rhodes, age 15, drowned after his father's Ford Mustang overturned in a flooded creek near Elizabethtown on June 27
- David Rhodes had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.141 — nearly twice the legal limit — according to authorities
- Police say the father told investigators he responded to his drowning son by saying "he was drowning too"
- A second juvenile passenger suffered head injuries and survived
- Rhodes faces charges including vehicular homicide and DUI; his next court date was not immediately available
What's Next
David Rhodes will face prosecution in Hardin County Circuit Court. His bond is set at $250,000 as he awaits further proceedings. The investigation remains ongoing, according to Kentucky State Police.