A deputy from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department came upon the vehicle on State Road 8 just east of State Road 39. The vehicle was upside down in a deep ditch filled with water.
The officer got out of his vehicle and could hear a woman screaming from inside the vehicle. Four drivers stopped to help the officer. The officer and Brian Busse jumped into the ice cold water to attempt to get the woman out of the vehicle. The officer tried both doors but neither would open. Busse was able to get to the back window and broke it out. He was then able to get inside the vehicle.
The driver was stuck in her seat by the seat belt. Justin Sowles, who also stopped to assist the officer, handed the woman a knife and she was able to free herself from her seat belt. Busse was able to help her get out of the car. Sowles, Ben Perish and Mike Canada helped pull her to safety.
The driver was transported to IU Health Starke Hospital where she was treated for minor injuries and later released.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department extends their gratitude to Brian Busse, Justin Sowles, Ben Perish and Mike Canada for their swift actions in assisting the officer and getting the driver to safety.
