If you’re car was sinking underwater, could you escape? In the aftermath of a story about the drowning deaths of three teenage girls, we wondered the same thing.
The video above is by no means a survival guide (and the Washington Post has more on it), but it is noteworthy now that questions are being asked about dashcam footage that shows police discussing the girls as the car sank into a pond. The police however, say they did everything they could to rescue the girls. They died April 1 after a night of joyriding and running from the cops. They stole a 1990 Honda Accord after its owner offered to give the girls a ride to a nearby park. The driver first stopped at Walmart to buy a TV. He left the car running. When he returned the car and girls were gone.
Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies caught up with the stolen car and eventually chased the trio into a cemetery. Police knew there was no way out. The girls were driving very fast through dark, twisting roads when they drove off of the pavement and into a pond. The sheriff previously told reporters that officers removed their belts and attempted to wade into the water to save the girls, but became trapped in muck.
The recently released video seems to contradict Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri statements that officers attempted to wade into the pond, but became stuck in the mucky water. Deputies can be heard discussing the girl’s screams near one of the cruisers as the girls sink into the pond. Deputies also seem to be standing around the pond, rather than wadding in.
“I hear them yelling, I think,” one officer said.
“They’re done. They are 6-7, dude” another officer said.
“They were yelling,” a deputy responded. “I thought I heard yelling.”
As the car continued to sink the deputy replied, “But now, they’re done. They’re done.”
If you or a loved one gets hurt in an accident or due to someone else’s negligence, the FL Legal Group attorneys are ready to answer your questions and help you navigate through the recovery process.
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