http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20101116/NEWS/101116004/Man-saves-driver-of-sinking-car

OCEAN CITY, Md. -- Police said a 23-year-old Delaware woman who was allegedly driving drunk careened into a bayside canal, sinking her car, and would have drowned if a bystander hadn't rescued her.

"He, no doubt in my mind, saved her life," said Ocean City police spokeswoman Jessica Waters. "When you look up 'hero' in the dictionary, that's what you find. Thank goodness he was there."

Police said it was about 2 a.m. Monday when Taylor Cole Vanderhook of Fenwick Island drove across the parking lot of Macky's Bayside Grill at 54th Street, bumped a pontoon boat on blocks, then drove into a canal behind a Candy Kitchen and Chauncey's Surf Shop.

Police to honor rescuer with highest award

Coming to her rescue was Chris Sullivan, the general manager of the adjacent Yang's Palace restaurant, who said he suffered a sleepless night after pulling her from her sinking car.

"I felt like the girl had died," he said. "She came so close. I wonder if she knew. ... I wonder how close to death she came. It haunts me even now. It's surreal."

Sullivan said he was staying in an apartment above the restaurant when he was awoken by the grating sound of a flat tire being driven on the rim of her Toyota Camry. He looked out the window because she made so much noise pulling in and watched her drive into the canal.

He came down to the ground in an effort to help. He said he could hear Vanderhook talking to someone on a phone and that she was not able to open her passenger windows to escape. He watched as the water filled the cabin, leaving 6-10 inches of air, and sought an object large enough to break the glass. He dove three times into the water, looking for ways to get her out.

Finding nothing, he ran back toward his restaurant for help and tripped on a wooden plank, which he used to bust open the vehicle's rear windshield, giving Vanderhook an opening to escape the sinking car.

OCEAN CITY, Md. -- Police said a 23-year-old Delaware woman who was allegedly driving drunk careened into a bayside canal, sinking her car, and would have drowned if a bystander hadn't rescued her.

"He, no doubt in my mind, saved her life," said Ocean City police spokeswoman Jessica Waters. "When you look up 'hero' in the dictionary, that's what you find. Thank goodness he was there."

Police said it was about 2 a.m. Monday when Taylor Cole Vanderhook of Fenwick Island drove across the parking lot of Macky's Bayside Grill at 54th Street, bumped a pontoon boat on blocks, then drove into a canal behind a Candy Kitchen and Chauncey's Surf Shop.

Police to honor rescuer with highest award

Coming to her rescue was Chris Sullivan, the general manager of the adjacent Yang's Palace restaurant, who said he suffered a sleepless night after pulling her from her sinking car.

"I felt like the girl had died," he said. "She came so close. I wonder if she knew. ... I wonder how close to death she came. It haunts me even now. It's surreal."

Sullivan said he was staying in an apartment above the restaurant when he was awoken by the grating sound of a flat tire being driven on the rim of her Toyota Camry. He looked out the window because she made so much noise pulling in and watched her drive into the canal.

He came down to the ground in an effort to help. He said he could hear Vanderhook talking to someone on a phone and that she was not able to open her passenger windows to escape. He watched as the water filled the cabin, leaving 6-10 inches of air, and sought an object large enough to break the glass. He dove three times into the water, looking for ways to get her out.

Finding nothing, he ran back toward his restaurant for help and tripped on a wooden plank, which he used to bust open the vehicle's rear windshield, giving Vanderhook an opening to escape the sinking car. (2 of 2)

"She said, 'Dude, I'm gonna kill you -- you broke my car.' I said, 'Darling, you gotta get out, or you're going to die,' " Sullivan said.

Sullivan offered to give Vanderhook a ride home, but police soon arrived, finding her at a nearby bus stop, and arrested her.

By the time police arrived, her car was completely submerged in the 50-degree water. The Ocean City Fire Department Water Rescue Team checked to make sure no one else was inside.

Vanderhook was charged with negligent driving, failure to provide identification, driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence.

According to charging documents, Ocean City Police Pfc. Pat Flynn was taking her back to the police station when she told him, "If you drop me off here, I'll give you $20 ... I'll pay you anything, just let me go."

She offered increasing amounts up to $200 in exchange for her release, police said. Police also charged Vanderhook with attempting to bribe a public official.

Vanderhook is scheduled to face her charges Dec. 16 in Ocean City District Court. Court records show Vanderhook was also charged in 2007 with drunken driving in Ocean Pines. She pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while impaired, paying $458 in court costs and fines.

Submitted on 11/20/2010

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: By BRIAN SHANE • Gannett/The (Salisbury, Md.) Daily Times • November 16, 2010

Copyright © 2010 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Too Common
Thanks, but we get lots of stories involving idiocy from drunk drivers. I'm pretty sure we've gotten submissions that are virtually identical to this in one in the past.

Candi said:
Definitely Toss: Too Common
What Bruce said.

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