New York Mother Dies After Driving Into Pond on Foggy Morning, Leaving Behind Daughter
MACEDON, N.Y. — A 57-year-old mother was found dead inside her vehicle after it plunged into a pond during foggy early-morning conditions in Wayne County, New York. Authorities identified the victim as Robin Sardone, who managed to call 911 before her car became fully submerged.
911 Call Before Car Sank
According to Wayne County Sheriff Robert Milby, Sardone’s accident happened around 4 a.m. Wednesday, September 24. Investigators believe heavy fog reduced visibility as she drove through an intersection without stopping at a sign and into the pond.
Her 911 call was cut short as the car sank beneath the water. Emergency crews arrived within minutes, with a firefighter entering the pond around 4:17 a.m. to search for her.
Recovery Efforts Took Hours
Multiple agencies, including the Palmyra Police Department, South Macedon Fire and Rescue, Macedon Center Fire Department, and Macedon Town Ambulance, responded to the scene.
At 5:05 a.m., a sheriff’s office dive team began searching the pond using sonar and remotely operated equipment. Sheriff Milby noted that thick vegetation in the water complicated the rescue. Around 7:40 a.m., Sardone’s body was discovered inside her vehicle.
“She was not able to self-extricate,” Milby told reporters. An autopsy will determine the official cause of death as the investigation continues.
Community in Mourning
Sardone leaves behind a daughter who friends say was “her world.” Rev. Jim Trimble of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Honeoye Falls said Sardone had recently joined the church and was eager to deepen her faith.
“She was asking really good questions and never accepting stock answers,” Trimble recalled.
Friends described Sardone as warm, kind, and full of life. Chris Baron, a fellow parishioner, said, “She loved dancing, she loved going to the state fair, she loved boating, she was always proud of her daughter’s accomplishments. She was one of my best friends, and I’m certainly going to miss her.”
Another friend, Anna Engstrom, said the community now faces “a long healing process” as they rally to support Sardone’s daughter.
A Tragic Reminder
The incident underscores the dangers of foggy driving conditions, where reduced visibility can lead to sudden, life-threatening accidents. Authorities urge drivers to slow down, remain alert at intersections, and use low-beam headlights during dense fog.
Have you ever faced dangerous conditions while driving in heavy fog? Share your story and safety tips in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
