|
WALDORF --- On Dec. 22 at 12:04 p.m., Charles County
Sheriff’s officers responded to St. Charles Parkway near St. Thomas
Drive in Waldorf for the report of a vehicle that drove into a lake.
Investigation revealed a Chevrolet Trailblazer was attempting to turn
left from St. Thomas Drive onto St. Charles Parkway when the driver lost
control over the vehicle. The SUV left the roadway, entered a nearby
lake, floated about 75 feet and began to sink.
William Saunders, a retired captain with the Sheriff’s Office who
formerly commanded the Patrol Division, arrived on the scene moments
later and took immediate action. He dove into the lake and swam out to
the sinking SUV. He was followed by a citizen who also stopped to
assist. They pulled the driver, Leann Lawson, 26, of Mechanicsville, and
her 2-month-old son, from the vehicle. The SUV quickly sank in the
7-foot deep water. The victims and their rescuers all returned to shore
safely. The victims were transported to Civista Medical Center by
ambulance for checkups. Crash investigators believe the victim and her
son would most likely have been unable to survive the crash if not for
the valiant efforts of Retired Captain Saunders and the citizen who
assisted him.
The Charles County Dive Rescue Team and the Waldorf Volunteer Fire
Department responded to remove the vehicle from the lake. Additionally,
Diver Patrick Moore also recovered all the Christmas presents that
floated away from the vehicle.
Officer R. Taylor of the Traffic Operations Unit is investigating the
crash.
|
