Woman Causes Florida Car Crash, Then is Rescued by Person She Hit

On June 22, a Miami Springs woman caused a Florida car crash that sent her car careening into a canal. As she frantically tried to escape from her sinking car, she was rescued by the man whom she had struck just moments earlier.

On her way home from her daughter’s house, Carmen Tapp, 67, was driving her Ford Focus south on Flamingo Circle. As she attempted to cross the median of Westward Drive, she struck a 2008 Mitsubishi. The force of the crash caused her car to continue traveling straight into a canal.

Disoriented and confused, Tapp struggled to escape from her sinking car. Unable to open the door against the water pressure, and with water rushing in at her feet, she attempted unsuccessfully to break a window.

Twenty-seven-year-old Jason Cruz, whom she has just struck, raced from his car into the canal. With the help of another bystander, Cruz was able to get the car rolled up onto the side of the canal, thereby getting the passenger side out of the water. Tapp was then able to get to the passenger side of her car, where Cruz helped her escape.

When asked about his heroic reaction, Cruz stated, “When she hit me I was in shock and I look over and see the back end of her car going into the canal. I took off my shoes and shirt and just jumped in. I didn't have time to think about it.”

Tapp and Cruz both emerged uninjured.

This is quite an amazing story, one that could have turned out very differently. The Palm Beach accident attorneys at Fetterman & Associates would like to commend Mr. Cruz for his bravery and selflessness in this frightening Florida car accident. Our thoughts are with Ms. Tapp and Mr. Cruz.