Submerged car pulled from Lake St. Clair, 15-year-old helps save driver

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (FOX 2) - The U.S. Coast Guard responded to Lakefront Park after a car was spotted in the water, several yards off the boardwalk.

St. Clair Shores police say the crash happened just before 12:30 p.m. The USCG was called to a report of a car in Lake St. Clair near Lakefront Park.

Bystanders helped the driver, an elderly woman who was alone, get out of the car. The woman was then taken to a nearby hospital for an evaluation, according to police.

John Agnello, 15, was one of the people who assisted in the rescue. He went from fishing for walleye and bass at Lakefront Park to saving a life.

"I’m just fishing, know what I mean? Nothing crazy. (Then) I hear a loud noise," John said. "So, then I run over there instantly with a neighbor… We both get in there at the same time, we just both swim to her instantly."

John smashed the vehicle's back window with a rock and entered – not even noticing the cuts he sustained amid the adrenaline rush, he said. His leg had to be bandaged up.

"I couldn’t even feel the cuts because I was so locked in, you know what I mean?" he said. "My family taught me to take action, not just stand there on my phone."

SkyFOX flew over the scene when the car was clearly visible and submerged in the water.

There are no roads in the area of where the car went into the water – but there appears to be tire marks in the grass leading up the boardwalk.

The car was pulled from the water with a tow truck, showing signs of damage including the front hood flipped up and windows broken.

John's family is absolutely beaming with pride and gratitude of his actions.

"We couldn’t be more proud. And when I heard today, I was working from home and cried – like I was just so proud of him," said Stacey Agnello, John's aunt. "I’m a first responder… I think we found his career and I can’t wait to watch him grow and blossom. So proud of you John!"