Bystanders rush to help when car plunges into Florida waterway, police say

A woman died while trapped in a submerged car, despite the efforts of bystanders and first responders to pull her free, according to investigators in Southwest Florida.

The crash happened just after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, in Venice and police are still piecing together what caused 65-year-old Connie Eileen Johnson to drive into the Intracoastal Waterway.

It is suspected she lost control of the vehicle on South Tamiami Trail while driving toward the Circus Bridge.

“The vehicle veered to the right, going over the curb and sidewalk, where it struck a light pole and continued heading off the road,” Venice police said in a news release.

“The vehicle went down the embankment, on the west side of the Circus Bridge, and entered the Intracoastal Waterway.”

Bystanders joined emergency personnel in rushing to help the driver, and they found the vehicle on its passenger side near the end of a narrow dock. It was completely submerged, photos show.

“They were able to flip the car right side up and entered the vehicle by breaking a window,” police said. “Fire Rescue, police, and civilians were able to extricate (Johnson).”

Emergency personnel tried to revive Johnson, but she was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

She was the only person found in the car, police said.

Venice is about a 75-mile drive south from Tampa.

This story was originally published January 13, 2025 at 9:51 AM with the headline "Bystanders rush to help when car plunges into Florida waterway, police say."