Police: Car Slides Into Pond, Deputy Jumps In To Help
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Anoka County Sheriff's Office said one of its deputies acted heroically Thursday when he jumped into frigid waters to help a driver whose car slid into a pond.
Deputy Chris Pierro, who responded to the accident near Bunker Lake Boulevard and Crosstown Boulevard just after 6 a.m., removed some of his clothes before jumping into the freezing pond to help 19-year-old Zach Fritz, who was struggling to stay afloat.
Pierro swam Fritz to shore, where paramedics were on hand to offer help.
"Although these instances do not occur every day, our deputies are always prepared to put themselves in harm's way in order to protect the public that we proudly serve," said Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart.
In the accident, Fritz lost control of his car, which slid sideways on an icy road, jumped a curb, broke through a fence, and ended up totally submerged in a pond southeast of the intersection.
Crews bought Fritz to Mercy Hospital for treatment. The sheriff's office did not comment on his condition.
Pierro did not need any treatment when paramedics evaluated him, the sheriff's office said.
