Driver dies after pickup truck plunges into canal near Dolphin Mall in Miami-Dade

SWEETWATER, Fla. – A pickup truck plunged into a canal on Wednesday night just outside of Dolphin Mall in Miami-Dade County.

Police officers responded to the area of Northwest 12th Street at the Florida Turnpike, according to Detective Lee Cowart, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade Police Department.

“Officers quickly went into the water,” Cowart said.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue divers also jumped into the dark and murky canal. Air rescue assisted with visibility from above. Cowart said they pulled a man from the water and were searching for other survivors. No one else was found in the water.

Police officers were searching for survivors after a car plunged into a canal on Wednesday near Dolphin Mall. (Photo by Maurice Moran/Local 10 News)

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel took the man to a nearby hospital, where he later died, Cowart said.

Sweetwater Police Department officers and Florida Highway Patrol troopers also responded to the area.

Officers closed Northwest 12th Street near Dolphin Mall on Tuesday in Sweetwater. (Photo by Maurice Moran/Local 10 News)

Cowart said officers temporarily closed the Turnpike’s exit to Northwest 12th Street, where they diverted westbound traffic at 114th Avenue and eastbound traffic at Northwest 121st Avenue.

Officers blocked Northwest 12th Street after a car plunged into a canal on Wednesday night near Dolphin Mall. (Photo by Maurice Moran/Local 10 News)

Local 10 News’ Assignment Desk Editor Emily Hales contributed to this report.


About the Authors

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Recommended Videos