Quick-thinking officers pull woman to safety

Forty-four-year-old Christian Valenzuela was headed north on La. Highway 1 early Thursday when she lost control of her Ford Explorer, overcorrected and flipped into the bayou just north of Grand Isle, authorities said.

Luckily, Lafourche sheriff’s Lt. Andrew Labat and K-9 Deputy Anthony Stelly and Harbor Police Officer P.J. Lyons were posted nearby at Port Fourchon and were first on the scene, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Sgt. Lesley Hill. All three jumped into the bayou and, using a window punch tool, Stelly was able to break the driver’s side window.

Hill said Valenzuela was safely pulled from the partially submerged vehicle. She was rushed to Lady of the Sea Hospital where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Hill said the Larose woman was wearing a seat belt when she careened into the bayou.

According to state police, Valenzuela was attempting to plug her cell phone charger into a cigarette lighter when she began to lose control of the SUV. The vehicle hit the shoulder of a left bank curve and Valenzuela steered first to the southbound lane and then back toward the northbound lane, which sent the SUV into the bayou. Hill said the vehicle rolled onto its top as it entered the bayou and the interior quickly began filling with water.

State police do not think alcohol or drug use played a part in the crash.