Driver walks away from accident that left car submerged

Deputies dove into Uvas Reservoir near Morgan Hill to attempt a rescue from a car submerged in the water after a crash Monday morning — but found the vehicle empty, authorities said.

The driver had already left the scene and made her way to the hospital, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff ’s Office.

Deputies were dispatched to the reservoir about 8 a.m. Monday following reports of an accident there, Deputy Russell Davis said.

The exact location of the incident was not reported, but the deputies saw skid marks on the ground and bubbles in the water, and concluded that the vehicle was possibly submerged in the reservoir, according to the Sheriff ’s Office.

Deputies and an emergency medical technician immediately jumped into the water to look for any victims inside the vehicle, a Chevrolet Bolt, authorities said.

However, the car proved to be unoccupied. It was later determined that the driver, described as an adult female, was able to exit her car before deputies arrived, and a bystander gave her a ride to her home, authorities said. It was not clear at what point during the incident she escaped the vehicle.

She later admitted herself to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, according to a Sheriff ’s Office Facebook post.

Davis said it was unknown what caused the driver to go off the road into the reservoir, and there was no information about whether she was under the influence of any substances. The dive team for the Sheriff ’s Office and tow company were able to retrieve the vehicle, authorities said.