Man dies after car plunges into Erie Canal on Monday

North Tonawanda police have confirmed that the man who died early Monday in the canal was 43-year-old Donald Kreuter of Amherst.

According to Lt. Thomas Krantz, Kreuter had attended Canal Fest. Kreuter had reportedly been speaking with a friend around 1:30 a.m. The friend then left, and police received the emergency call at 1:38 a.m.

The vehicle driven by Kreuter drove over a curb stop, a grassy area and the dock before plunging into the canal. Krantz estimated there was 30 feet between the roadway and the canal.

He said alcohol may have been involved. Kreuter was pronounced dead at DeGraff Memorial Hospital.