The Trumbull county coroner's office has confirmed the Mineral Ridge man whose van was found in Mosquito Lake early Tuesday morning has died. 

Authorities in Trumbull County report that  85-year-old Donald Whittaker had been reported missing on Monday. He was later rescued from Mosquito Lake after bystanders saw it drive into the water. 

Investigators say 85-year-old Donald Whittaker still had a faint pulse before 1 a.m. Tuesday and was taken to St. Joseph Hospital.

A missing adult alert was issued for Whittaker after he drove away from his Lincoln Avenue home around 6 p.m. Monday.

According to the release, Whittaker suffers from dementia, and law enforcement was concerned for his safety.

Whittaker was last seen driving a dark blue 2006 Chrysler Pacifica with Ohio plates GKZ6114. According to county dispatchers, a witness reported seeing that same minivan driving down the route 305 boat ramp into Mosquito Lake.

A witness who was tossing rocks into the lake tells 21 News she saw Whittaker driving very slowly right passed her at about 15 miles per hour and that his vehicle began to enter the water. She initally thought it was a joke until cries for help let her know that something was wrong.

"He started like saying help me and we were like really freaked out because like, I feel really bad we didn't like get in the water or anything and try and like open the door," said Lita Ramos, a witness to the incident.

"Eventually all the firetrucks came and stuff and they tried to like go and get him and swim out to him but by the time they got there, his car was already like under water," she said

After rescuers recovered Whittaker from the minivan, he had a faint pulse and was taken to the hospital for care, where he was pronounced dead shortly after.