Columbus woman escapes vehicle in lake

A Columbus woman who drove her car into a western Bartholomew County lake Wednesday escaped from the sunken vehicle without serious injuries.

Shannon Johnson Smith, 34, accidentally drove into a man-made lake in front of Castalia near Harrison Lake around 11 a.m.

She had her window down and was able to swim free from the vehicle, which sunk about 40 feet from land, according to Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department.

Smith was driving south on West Tulip Drive when she suffered a coughing spell. She reached for medication, and her heel got caught on the gas pedal, sheriff's officials said.

Her car left the road in a southwest direction and entered the lake. Authorities said the depth of the lake dropped quickly and was about 25 feet deep where the car sunk.

The car could not be seen from land, but air bubbles surfaced where deputies said the car had submerged.

Eric Lawson, who lives across Tulip Drive from the lake, saw the accident and ran over to help. Smith was already out of the vehicle when Lawson got in the water, officials said.

Emergency crews pulled the car from the lake.

Thanks to the Columbus Republic for this story.