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Port Orange Today
By the People, for the People
Florida Police Rescue Elderly Driver from Pond Crash
Officers broke car windows and pulled the driver to safety after his vehicle veered off the road.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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Video footage shows Port Orange Police Department officers in Florida rescuing an elderly driver who crashed his car into a stormwater pond on Monday. The officers broke the car's side windows, entered the water, and pulled the partially submerged driver to safety.
Why it matters
The quick actions of the officers likely prevented a tragic outcome, highlighting the importance of police response and community support in emergency situations involving vulnerable drivers.
The details
The video shows officers wading into the pond, breaking the car's windows, and pulling the vehicle closer to shore before extracting the elderly driver, who later said the car's locks were not working and he was unable to open the doors. The police department praised the officers' "outstanding courage and dedication" in responding to the incident.
- The incident occurred on Monday, February 19, 2026.
The players
Port Orange Police Department
The local police department that responded to and rescued the elderly driver from the pond crash.
Officers Peterson, Velez, and Herstein
The three police officers who entered the water and pulled the driver to safety.
Elderly driver
The driver whose car veered off the road and into the pond, requiring rescue by the officers.
What they’re saying
“Without hesitation, all three officers, along with two citizen witnesses, entered the pond and worked together to safely remove the driver from the partially submerged vehicle.”
— Port Orange Police Department (Facebook post)
The takeaway
This incident highlights the critical role of first responders in protecting vulnerable community members and the importance of police training and equipment to handle emergency situations, even in challenging environments like a partially submerged vehicle.
