A bystander tried to convince the driver to leave the car before it submerged, but she was afraid of losing the vehicle, Houston Police Department spokeswoman Jodi Silva said Saturday.

Heavy thunderstorms flooded various parts of the Houston area late Friday, including patches of the Interstate 45 feeder road between West Little York and West Parker roads.

As the driver headed southbound on the North Freeway service road just before 10 p.m., she encountered high water.

“She backed up to avoid the flooded road and backed up over the curb on the west side of the street onto private property, which was also flooded,” Silva said.

The driver attempted to steer her green Chevrolet Cavalier south again on the private property and drove partially into a retention pond.

“A witness who was at the scene told her to get out of her car, but she was afraid that she would lose her car,” Silva said. “The car then floated out into the middle of the retention pond and sank – and she was still in her vehicle when it sank.”

Submitted on 05/15/2010

Submitted by: AMark
Reference: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7006514.html May 15, 2010

Copyright © 2010 DarwinAwards.com

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Okay, I know car accidents and drownings are common, but WHAT was this woman THINKING!?! She showed some sense by trying to avoid floodwaters, but when her car gets stuck in a pond and is SINKING, she stays because she doesn't want to lose the car? Excuse me? What an I-DI-OT! Thanks, AMark, and submit again!

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Well I guess she did manage to keep the car for the rest of her life in any event. Thanks!

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4