Driver Rescued From Canal Crash

CLEWISTON, FL. -- Clewiston Police Chief Don Gutshall reports this week a traffic accident on East Avenida Del Rio, where CPD officers found a vehicle overturned inside the canal. The driver was unconscious and pinned inside the vehicle. Officers used a hammer tossed down by a bystander to break out a window in an attempt to free the man. 

They were unsuccessful and then wrapped a chain around the axle while the same bystander pulled with his truck managing to move the vehicle enough to free the door from the canal bottom. The driver was then freed. He remains hospitalized on life support. 

In other news one house on North Berner was broken into overnight during the week. Two vehicles on the North side of town have also been gone through. Officers have developed a couple of suspects in the cases. The investigation is ongoing. 

A handgun was stolen from a residence on West Del Monte. The suspect, who is an acquaintance of the victim, has not been located. 

Chief Gutshall visited with Lt. Mike Rowan who is recuperating from an auto accident. He is in good spirits, though still in pain. He’s hopeful to return to his desk in the next week or two. 

Synopsis of the week’s police activity: 

1161 Commercial / Residential Security Checks 

585 Complaints Investigated 

19 Arrests Made 

34 Traffic Citations Issued 

15 New Code Enforcement Cases Opened 

49 Red Light Camera Violations 

15 City Ordinance Violations 

67 Merchant Escorts Provided 

16 Alarms Responded To 

4 Traffic Accidents Investigated