Man Drives Car Into Carquinez Strait; Rescued

BENICIA, CA -- The Benicia Police and Fire departments helped rescue a male driver who drove his vehicle into the Carquinez Strait Friday afternoon. Bystanders reported a vehicle drove a compact, four-door vehicle off the West Ninth Street boat launch and into the water around 1 p.m., Benicia Fire Department Division Chief Jason Fein said.

The driver was able to escape the vehicle, which was still under water late Friday afternoon, Fein said. The driver was taken to a hospital and there is no reason to believe anyone else was in the vehicle at the time, Fein said.

The Solano County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Coast Guard also responded. A Coast Guard spokeswoman said the area where the vehicle sank was marked with a buoy and the Coast Guard left the scene.

By Bay City News Service

Photo via Benicia Fire Department