(DEVELOPING STORY) – Search crews are concentrating on an area in the Hiwassee River to locate a missing Meigs County deputy sheriff.

District Attorney General Russell Johnson says dive teams located a vehicle in the waters of the Tennessee River, at the end of Blythe Ferry Road.

The missing officer has been identified as Deputy Robert J. Leonard.

Authorities say his cell phone is pinging right where the vehicle is missing.

A female inmate whom Deputy Leonard was transporting has not been located.

Dispatchers heard from Deputy Leonard that he was transporting the woman, and a few minutes later heard a garbled message in which they think he said ‘water.’

Deputy Leonard did not respond after that.

Authorities say the area being searched is remote and difficult for smartphone signals and other radio traffic to go through. The stretch of road is known for accidents where vehicles end up submerged in the water.

This is a developing story. Authorities will release more information at a later time.