Woman transported after backing car into pond at voting precinct in North Naples 

A woman has been transported to the hospital after she backed her car into a pond at a voting precinct in North Naples on Primary Election Day.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded to the single-vehicle crash at Covenant Church of Naples at 6926 Trail Blvd. at around 6:41 a.m. on Tuesday.

Campaign volunteer Jackie Ardoline was on her way to Naples covenant church Tuesday morning to set up for election day.

“When I pulled in on the side rear entrance here, I saw some taillights going into the water and initially I was kind of confused because I didn’t think there was a road there, and then I realized it was water and there was a car that had gone backwards into the water,” said Ardoline.

She quickly rushed over to help and she found a woman inside her car, fully submerged in the water at the opposite end of the pond.

“Thankfully she had her window down, she was yelling for me to help her so I said just stay in the car I’m on the phone with 911,” said Ardoline. “But then I realized the water was rising so then I said don’t stay in the car can you try to get out the window. “

Fortunately, the driver was able to get out the car window, but she was chest deep in the water, and that’s where Ardoline came to save the day.

“She fell because it was all squishy silty mud. It was very slippery. Once she got out and in the water, I was able to drag her up out of the water to the grass,” said Ardoline.

Jackie said the woman was emotional and was glad she was nearby to help.

“She was emotional, she was confused. And I don’t think she knew what happened it happened very quickly. She wasn’t banged up but she seemed pretty confused, and hopefully she’s okay,” said Ardoline.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered the woman pulling herself from the vehicle.

A tow truck pulled the woman’s car out of the water and she was transported to a local hospital via emergency medical services. No major injuries were reported.

The status of the vehicle or how the woman backed into the pond is currently under investigation.

The Collier County sheriff’s office says the driver should be okay.

As far as the campaign volunteer, she told us once the woman was taken care of she got back to work helping voters.