WOODBRIDGE, Calif — Firefighters rescued a man who was allegedly driving under the influence after he was trapped atop his SUV, which was submerged underwater just south of the Lodi Lake dam in San Joaquin County.
The unidentified man was driving on a private road in Woodbridge near Mokelumne Street when he crashed into an embankment behind a private residence, Ramirez said.
According to San Joaquin County Sheriff's spokesperson Andrea Lopez, the man got out of his SUV when it started to submerge and climbed on top until he was rescued.
"[The vehicle] was probably about 90% submerged with just the top of the vehicle showing," said Captain Jaime Ramirez of the Woodbridge Fire District.
Woodbridge firefighters and San Joaquin County deputies had dispatched an official water rescue boat, but Ramirez said they noticed a row boat at a nearby private dock. Ramirez said they opted not wait and borrowed the row boat to get to the driver, who was responsive and climbed into the boat.
The homeowner did not wish to be identified, but told ABC10 she is grateful first responders were able to save the man.
The man was taken to the hospital to be treated for non life-threatening self-inflicted wounds and later detained for allegedly driving under the influence, according to California Highway Patrol officials.
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