At approximately 8:20 a.m. this morning, Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety officers responded to a report of a vehicle in the water near Lake Shore Road and Newberry Road. Upon arrival, officers located a small Kia vehicle with its front end submerged in Lake St. Clair and its rear resting on the retaining wall at a 45-degree angle.
Initial visual inspection confirmed the vehicle was unoccupied. As officers prepared to enter the water, they observed a body floating face down approximately 50 yards west of the crash site and about 30 feet from the shoreline due to the current. Officers immediately entered the water, secured the individual, turned her face up, and brought her to shore.
Once on land, it was determined that the subject was not breathing and had no pulse. Officers initiated life-saving measures. After about one minute of CPR and efforts to clear water from her lungs, the woman slowly regained consciousness. MedStar medics arrived shortly thereafter and assumed care.
A short time later, the driver, a 70-year-old Detroit resident, was able to inform officers that she had intentionally driven into the lake. She was transported to a local hospital for further treatment related to injuries sustained during the crash.
The Grosse Pointe Farms Department of Public Safety would like to thank the concerned citizens who quickly dialed 911. Their swift action enabled our officers to arrive on the scene within two minutes, which was critical to the outcome of this incident.
