INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Authorities said a woman is lucky to be alive after deputies pulled her from a sports utility vehicle that flipped into a canal during a two-vehicle crash Friday.
Deputies said the SUV was partially submerged in the canal. The woman was trapped and struggled to keep her head above water, officials said.
No serious injuries were reported.
The collision happened about 6:30 p.m. near the 16th Street and 74th Avenue intersection. Deputy Brianna Barcaro was traveling on westbound 16th Street when she noticed a silver Jeep in the roadway that had damage to its driver’s side.
Barcaro got out of her vehicle and saw bystanders running toward the canal bank at the southwestern corner of the intersection. In the canal was a black Nissan Murano that was on its roof.
Deputies said Barcaro jumped in the water, went to the Nissan driver’s door and removed the driver’s seat belt. Barcaro, with the help of additional deputies, then pulled the woman from the SUV.
“Thanks to Deputy Barcaro’s swift actions the driver is alive today and will make it home to her family,” sheriff’s officials said.
Deputies continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
Photos provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
