Port St. Lucie Police Detectives and two good Samaritans rescue driver whose car crashed into pond in front of Port St. Lucie City Hall.

Port St. Lucie Police Detectives and two good Samaritans rescue driver whose car crashed into pond in front of Port St. Lucie City Hall.

On February 3, 2016 at 10:00 am, a 2013 Kia Optima driven by Harriet Toirac (77 years old, Port St. Lucie) was traveling south on  SE Airoso Boulevard and made a right turn heading west on Port St. Lucie Boulevard.  As Toirac made her turn west, she struck a car driven by Hixford Curlin Banton (73 years old, Port St. Lucie), which was traveling west on Port St. Lucie Boulevard.  The collision caused Banton to lose control of his car causing him to drive off the roadway, over a burn, and into the pond that is located in front of Port St. Lucie City Hall.

Two good Samaritans, James Randolph and Charles Proulx witnessed the crash and went into the water to rescue Banton from his car.  While Randolph, Proulx, and Banton were still in the water, three Port St. Lucie Police Detectives, Stephen Reuther, Peter Chunn, and Maiga Auguste arrived on scene.  Detective Reuther retrieved a rescue disc from the trunk of his car and threw the life-line to the three in the water.  Randolph, Proulx, and Banton were able to grab a hold of the rescue disc and were successfully pulled back ashore safely.

Thanks to the quick actions of both good Samaritans and Police Detectives there are no serious injuries resulting from this crash.  Port St. Lucie Police are still on scene awaiting tow removal of Branton’s submerged car.