Florida’s Hit-and-Run Crash Plunges Car into Florida Canal

Florida’s hit-and-run crash ended with a car submerged in a Martin County canal and two people rescued in a dramatic late-night operation this past Saturday. The victims’ vehicle was forced off a remote highway and overturned into the water, trapping them inside. Quick-acting deputies located the sinking car and pulled both occupants to safety just moments after their desperate 911 call was cut short.

A Desperate Rescue in the Dark

The incident unfolded around 10:30 p.m. Saturday on a desolate stretch of Martin Highway (State Road 714). Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek stated that the victims’ car was “clipped from the back,” likely by a white work truck, which then fled the scene. The impact sent the car spinning off the road, where it flipped and landed upside down in a canal, hidden from view by thick brush.

Deputies Matt Fritchie and Juan Pepper Orelliana arrived in the area but could not see the vehicle. After driving up and down the road, they heard a faint car horn. Bodycam footage released by the sheriff’s office shows the deputies hacking through vines and wading into the water to reach the partially submerged car. They were able to break the windows and rescue the two victims just as the car was filling with water.

“God was looking out for them,” Sheriff Budensiek said in a press conference. “They’re in a rural part of Martin County…in a spot where no one would have found them. If they’d been knocked unconscious and fully submerged, they would have drowned.” The victims were transported to a local hospital; their condition has not been released. The search for the hit-and-run driver is ongoing.

Florida’s Hit-and-Run Epidemic

This Martin County crash serves as a stark reminder of a concerning trend in the state. In 2023, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported over 104,000 hit-and-run accidents, resulting in a tragic 271 fatalities. These incidents account for nearly 25% of all crashes in the state, a troublingly consistent rate that has persisted for some time.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a felony in Florida, with severe penalties, especially when injuries are involved. The Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act imposes a mandatory minimum of four years in prison for a driver convicted of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. For more detailed statistics, you can visit the FLHSMV crash dashboard.

What to Do If Your Vehicle is Submerged

Safety experts emphasize the significance of acting swiftly if a car enters the water. Survival often hinges on the actions taken within the initial 30 to 120 seconds before the vehicle sinks completely. The acronym SWOC serves as a valuable guide:

• Seatbelts off.
• Windows open or broken.
• Out immediately.
• Children first.

It’s essential to open the windows before the water pressure builds up against them, rendering them useless. Avoid attempting to open the doors, as this will cause water to rush in, accelerating the car’s sinking. For more information on vehicle water safety, refer to resources from national safety organizations such as the National Safety Council.

Also read, Flying Car Crash in China Raises Safety Questions

Key Takeaways:

• The Incident: A hit-and-run crash on Martin Highway caused a car to flip into a canal on Saturday night.
• The Rescue: Two trapped victims were rescued by Martin County Sheriff’s deputies who located the submerged car by hearing its horn.
• The Suspect: Authorities are searching for the driver of what is believed to be a white work truck that fled the scene.
• Statewide Problem: Florida has one of the highest rates of hit-and-run accidents in the U.S., with over 100,000 incidents reported annually.
• Safety Protocol: If a car is submerged, experts advise occupants to immediately unbuckle, open windows, and exit the vehicle without trying to open the doors.