Van crashes into water near Courtney Campbell Bridge
Two dead after car plunges into water near Courtney Campbell
Posted: Jul 31, 2015 5:57 AM EST Updated: Jul 31, 2015 12:49 PM EST
By: FOX 13 Tampa Bay Staff
Photo courtesy TPD TAMPA (FOX 13) - Two teenagers died this morning after being pulled from a car that had crashed into the water near the Courtney Campbell Bridge.
Investigators say it happened around 5:30 a.m., when the car drove through a guardrail lining one of the access roads on the Tampa side, then landed in the water.
Both Pinellas County Fire and EMS and Tampa Fire Rescue responded to what was initially reported as a van in the water.
A Tampa police spokesperson said a witness was nearby and helped pull a girl who survived from the water, who told rescue crews that two others were still in the submerged vehicle.
Two Tampa Fire Rescue medic divers pulled the remaining two people from the car, but according to the Tampa Fire and Rescue spokesperson, it's likely they were underwater for at least 10 minutes before their rescue.
They were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, where they have since died. They were identified as Rishi Martinez, 18, and Gyzelle Diaz, 14, who lived at the same address in Tampa. The surviving victim was identified as Naeve Duarte, 14, who was visiting from California.
Meanwhile, the investigation into what caused the crash continues.
Tampa police investigators say a vodka bottle was retrieved from the vehicle. Detectives believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.