TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Two teens died in a crash Wednesday night when their car ran off the road and flipped into a retention pond, North Port police said Thursday.
Authorities said the 17-year-old driver approached the corner of North Sumter Boulevard just north of Lorri Circle at a high rate of speed and their Honda Accord lost traction and started to slide.
According to the crash report, the sedan then “vaulted off the bridge rail,” flipped into the pond and landed on its roof.
An off-duty police officer heard the crash from his house and rushed into the water with first responders and tried to rescue the teen and their 16-year-old passenger.
Their attempts were not successful.
The vehicle was removed from the water a short time later. Authorities pronounced both teens dead at 10:52 p.m.
Police said their investigation is ongoing.