Stranded Driver Dies In Corsicana Flooding
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CORSICANA (CBSDFW.COM) - Storms claimed the life of at least one person in Navarro County on Sunday. Heavy rain led to flash flooding in Corsicana, and the victim's car became stuck on a bridge when the nearby creek overflowed onto the roadway.
Witnesses said that the car was dangling off of the bridge.
According to a police official, the stranded driver tried to get out of his car, but was swept away and became trapped in a flooded ditch. Neighbors who live close by tried to help the man. "I'm sorry. I tried to help," said Becky Follis. But, she said, there was not much that could be done.
"I'm crying right now," added Nick Clark, who also tried to help out. "I didn't even know the guy. I felt like I could have done something, you know? I was right there."
Undre Smith is the victim's cousin, and identified the man as 22-year-old Courtney Lewis. Smith stated that Lewis was on his way to pick up his girlfriend when his car got stuck. "He was trying to save himself," Smith added.
"The water picked the car up, and I could tell the car was floating sideways down the street," Clark stated. "So, I waded out there. I stopped the car from floating and I begged him to get out, and he wouldn't get out. He said his car was still on and he was getting traction."
"It was hard for me when I realized that it was his last moment," said Follis. "I didn't realize he didn't survive until this morning."
"The weight of the water took him," Smith said. "It's hard."
The victim's family is thankful for those people who tried to help. The neighbors said that, every time it rains, the street gets flooded in the same spot where Lewis died. But nobody remembers it ever being this bad.
Coriscana saw more than 10 inches of rain over just a matter of hours.
Road conditions looked fine throughout Navarro County by Monday morning, but flooding created some major traffic issues on Sunday night. Officials were forced to shut down Interstate-45 in both directions for several hours due to high water.
The Salvation Army has opened up a shelter to help anyone who needs assistance after the storm.