Fla. Woman Dies After Rescue From Submerged Car

Jan. 31--An 80-year-old Deerfield Beach woman died in the hospital on Sunday, two days after being rescued from her car at the bottom of a lake, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue firefighters pulled Josefa Luz Garcia out of her Chevrolet Impala which was submerged in 12 feet of water behind her condo, spokesman Mike Jachles said.

Garcia had backed her car out of her designated parking space, over an embankment and into the lake, according to traffic homicide detectives.

A couple of good Samaritans unsuccessfully tried to get the woman out as the car sank but deputies and firefighters were successful, Jachles said.

Garcia was in cardiac arrest when brought to shore but rescuers immediately began aggressive life support efforts and were able to restore a pulse on the way to North Broward Medical Center, he said.

Despite their efforts, she died at 11:13 a.m., Sunday.

Detectives determined there was no mechanical malfunction with her Chevrolet Impala, Jachles said.

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