Houston man drowns after crashing car into lake

FULSHEAR – A Houston man drowned Saturday night after crashing his vehicle into a lake in Fulshear.

The Fulshear Police Department said it happened just after 9 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of S. Fry and Cross Creek Bend.

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Police said the victim, later identified as 22-year-old Juan Ortiz-Rodriguez, was speeding on S. Fry when he failed to stop at the intersection, jumped the curb and drove into the lake. According to a witness, the victim could be seen "splashing around" before he went under water.

Officials said upon their arrival, they found residents in the water trying to rescue Ortiz-Rodriguez. Officers with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office swam out to the vehicle and attempted to locate the driver. They were unable to find the victim due to the distance and the depth.

Just before 11:30 p.m., members of the Richmond Fire Department's Dive Team recovered Ortiz-Rodriguez's body.

In a statement, the Fulshear Police Department said, "The City of Fulshear would like to express its condolences to the victim's family. The City of Fulshear also wants to commend those citizens and deputies who selflessly responded to the incident."