FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A quiet Saturday morning turned chaotic in Fort Lauderdale when an SUV and a car collided, sending a black Escalade crashing through a cement barrier and into the river near South Andrews Avenue and Davie Boulevard.
Mimi Mora, who was waiting at a bus stop nearby, said she witnessed the moment of impact.
“The next thing you know it was a whole big smash and when it happened, I saw it right on the side,” Mora said.
Authorities said inside the Escalade were four teenagers.
Passenger Richard Hernandez said an Acura made a U-turn in front of them, causing the SUV to spin out.
“We were driving regularly down the road, and I guess he just thought, let me bust a U turn in front of a car that’s going 40 miles per hour,” he said.
The Escalade landed in the water, and Hernandez recalled the frightening moments that followed.
“The water was getting into the car. It was going in slowly. It was going deeper… we were able to get out eventually after some guys helped us,” he said.
Hernandez said the driver, his friend, was taken to the hospital with a severe arm injury.
“His arm must have hit the steering wheel it was completely shattered in half,” he added.
Despite the violent crash, all four survived.
“I’ve never been in a car crash like this. This is insane. I’m pretty sure my head’s going to hurt but I’m good for right now,” Hernandez said.
Fort Lauderdale police said they are investigating the crash.
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