'I didn't really think about it': Teen fishing on Lake St. Clair jumps into action to save woman who drove into water

ST. CLAIR SHORES (WWJ) — A Metro Detroit teenager who was enjoying a day of fishing on Tuesday afternoon is being called a hero after jumping into action to save a woman after she drove into Lake St. Clair.

John Agnello was fishing at Lakefront Park — in the area of Lakeshore Drive and 9 Mile Road — when the woman drove into the water around 12:30 p.m.

Agnello told WWJ’s Taylor Dietz he was quick to react.

“My mom was there with me too when I was fishing. I instantly told her to call 911 and then I just got in there instantly. I didn’t really think about it either, I just went straight into the water,” Agnello said.

The teen said the car was a little more than halfway submerged in the water when he and another bystander got to the car. He said the woman “wasn’t really talking at all” and was scared.

They helped her out of the window and got her back to shore. The woman was then taken to the hospital, with what police officials said were non-life-threatening injuries.

The teen said first responders evaluated Agnello at the scene, cleared him, and told him he was a hero.

Authorities have not said what caused the woman to drive into the lake. It was not clear if drugs or alcohol played a role.

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