Two Women Killed After Car Plunges Into Canal in Fort Pierce, Florida
FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA — Authorities are investigating a deadly crash after two women were found dead inside a submerged vehicle in a canal along Orange Avenue on Tuesday morning.
Vehicle Found Submerged
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said workers with the South Florida Water Management District spotted a car in the water near the intersection of Orange Avenue and North Rim Road around 10:53 a.m.
“Shortly before 11 a.m. today, workers here with the waste facilities and the canals the South Florida Water Management District maintains, found a car in the canal,” said Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Raeford Griffin. “Two people were found dead inside.”
Victims Identified
Troopers confirmed the victims are a 28-year-old woman from Vero Beach and a 21-year-old woman from Fort Pierce. Their names have not yet been released.
Family members told investigators the women were last seen late Sunday night into early Monday, and had been missing for about a day and a half before their bodies were discovered.
Crash Details
Investigators say the women were traveling westbound on Orange Avenue when their white Nissan Sentra struck a guardrail, veered off the roadway, and plunged into the canal.
At this time, no foul play is suspected. Toxicology reports will determine whether alcohol played a role, and FHP is also reviewing whether speed contributed to the crash.
Road Closures and Second Vehicle Discovery
The crash forced the closure of Orange Avenue between Sneed Road and the Okeechobee/St. Lucie County line for several hours as investigators worked the scene.
In a separate incident, officials also located a second white car nose-down in a canal on Indrio Road later Tuesday afternoon, though no injuries were reported in that case.
The Florida Highway Patrol and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Fort Pierce crash.
Do you believe more safety measures are needed along canals and guardrails in St. Lucie County? Share your thoughts and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
