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Woman Dies After Driving Vehicle Into Canonsburg Lake

PETERS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A woman has died after driving her vehicle into a Washington County lake Friday morning.

According to emergency dispatchers, the incident happened at Canonsburg Lake, near McDowell Lane, around 7:30 a.m.

A witness is shaken after trying to get her to stop.

"Just waving her arms at her, stop, stop, yelling stop," one man said.

But, the woman didn't stop and drove down the boat ramp into the 30-degree water.

While a portion of the car was still sticking out of the water, first responders jumped into action.

"They tried to get into the lake. Firefighters said it was too cold, so they tried on a backboard paddling over to her, but the currents were dragging him up the lake," Devin Scicchitano said.

"I could see the top of a piece of the car out of the water. Two firefighters went in first with grappling hooks and it looked like the one firefighter had the door open to the car," Randall Stonemark said.

The strong current and freezing temperatures were challenging for the first responders. Several divers took turns going in. One had his tank and mask ripped off while in the 30-foot deep waters.

Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said this isn't the first time this woman has tried to drive her car into the lake.

"I understand the she tried doing this a week ago, but was unsuccessful because of the frozen lake," Warco said.

The woman's name has not been released.

Crews were able to pull the vehicle out of the lake shortly after noon.

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