Good Samaritans Assist Brevard Sheriff’s Deputies to Rescue Motorist Who Crashed into Indian River

Good Samaritans Ariana Ebert and Don Cobb held driver’s head above water

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Saturday was one of those days that shows just how incredible our community truly is. Our communications center received multiple 911 calls regarding a vehicle that hit the center median on the Pineda Causeway and then crossed over crashing through the guardrail and ultimately landing in the water.

While deputies rushed to the scene, several amazing and selfless citizens jumped into action even before they could arrive. When Deputy Bradley McLaughlin arrived on scene he quickly relayed relevant information to our communications center and then jumped into the water to help rescue the sole occupant and driver.

As he worked his way to the area he saw two citizens, Ariana Ebert and Don Cobb, holding the driver’s head above water, partially out of the vehicle, but the driver was trapped on something inside the car, preventing them from being able to pull him out.

As the car continued to sink they did what they could to keep his head above the water and attempted to provide life saving measures.

Once Deputy McLaughlin reached them he began to assist with the rescue efforts of freeing the driver. At one point, Ariana even dove under the water to see if she could free him. Deputy James Basille soon joined in the rescue efforts as he entered the water and the driver was finally able to be pulled from the sinking car.

They quickly moved him over to land where Deputy Noah Kane, Deputy Jeremiah Mackey and a group of people were able to pull him up and Deputy Kane began CPR. Ultimately, the driver was transported to the hospital where he remains in ICU.

There are not enough words that explain the immense emotions one feels about just how great this community is.

Our Deputies are trained to jump into action in emergency situations, and we would never ask citizens to put their own lives at risk, but to see them selflessly try to save someone in a truly scary situation, shows the kind of people that make up Brevard County.

I say it all of the time because I truly believe it is representative of our amazing home, it takes a community to protect a community, and today this saying rang more true than ever!

Thank you will never be enough to Ariana and Don for the help they provided to this man, but please join me in making them feel the appreciation they deserve.

A big thank you to all of our Deputies, our Dive team, Ag Marine Units, Fire Rescue, Satellite Beach Police Department, the wrecker company, and everyone else who helped out during this crisis.

– Sheriff Wayne Ivey

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