A 17-year-old male rescued a woman from the No. 2 reservoir in Fostoria after her minivan went into the water following a two-vehicle accident Wednesday evening.
The youth, Tyler Smith, said he was fishing when he heard the accident across the reservoir.
"I heard tires squealing and the crash and saw the van going into the water," he said.
Article Photos
PHOTO BY JILL GOSCHE
Firefighter/EMT Dave Cook, (clockwise from left), firefighter/medic Fred Reinhart, Lt. Jerry Goodman and Capt. Warren Digby of Fostoria Fire Division work to remove a vehicle from Fostoria’s Reservoir 2 Thursday morning.
Smith was trained by Boy Scouts of America as a lifeguard.
There was no hesitation, Smith said.
"I just did what I thought was right," he said.
Tyann Showalter, 51 of Fostoria, was driving a 97 Dodge minivan north on Lakeview Boulevard when she sideswiped a 94 Oldsmobile driven by April Cox, 35, of Fostoria.
Cox swerved to the left of roadway to avoid Showalter. Showalter over-corrected, sending her vehicle into Lake Mottram located on Lakeside Drive between Fremont and Tiffin streets, Fostoria Chief of Police John McGuire said.
Showalter was cited with two counts of driving while intoxicated, failure to operate without reasonable control and driving without an operator's license, McGuire said.
"Showalter was unable to recall why she was even wet and was uncooperative with responders," he said.
She fought Smith while he was trying to help her from the vehicle, Smith said.
"She pulled on my leg pulling me under; I kicked her off and was able to bring her to shore," he said.
"His actions really don't surprise me," Smith's father, Kris Reiter, said.
"He is an Eagle Scout, and certified lifeguard. He is very adventurous and always helpful to others. I am proud of him. In my eyes, he is a true hero," Reiter said.
The minivan was retrieved Thursday morning by the Fostoria Fire Department, Fostoria Police Department, Fostoria Water Department and Reinhart's Towing, said Cpt. Jim Walters of the Fostoria Fire Department.
Walters said there were no problems retrieving the van.
No one was injured and Cox's vehicle had only minimal damage, McGuire said.
