LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – A body was pulled from the water Thursday after a truck crashed into a canal in Lauderdale Lakes, authorities said.
Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Gina Carter said the crash was reported near the intersection of Northwest 31st Avenue and 39th Street.
"The car was making a braking noise. He was about 40 something," Maria Ruiz, who called 911, said. "Then when he came here, he couldn't control the car. He hit something and down he went. I was the first caller to 911."
Carter said deputies were called to the scene just before 10 a.m.
Authorities said the driver, Jimmy Jones, 60, was driving his 1994 Ford Ranger west on Northwest 39th Street, approaching 31st Avenue when his pickup turned left sharply and crossed over the eastbound lanes and into the grass swale along the south side of the street.
Deputies said the truck veered through the swale and into the Middle River Canal.
Witnesses told authorities that they saw Jones struggle to swim back toward the embankment before going under water.
A Good Samaritan jumped into the canal in an attempt to rescue Jones, but was unable to do so.
Traffic homicide detectives are investigating the fatal crash.