One Dead After Vehicle Plunges Into Mesa Canal

A 26-year-old woman died Friday after the SUV she was driving crashed into a canal in Mesa, prompting an extensive water rescue operation before crews recovered the submerged vehicle.

Mesa police identified the woman as Brittany Kroldart.

The crash happened near Signal Butte Road and Southern Avenue. Mesa Fire and Medical Department crews responded to reports of a vehicle in the canal and found the SUV completely submerged in water that officials said was approximately 18 to 20 feet deep.

“When our crews arrived on scene, the vehicle was completely submerged,” a Mesa Fire official said. “Speaking with SRP, we had levels that were about 18 to 20 feet deep of water, and the vehicle was completely under it.”

Mesa Fire brought in a technical rescue team as crews searched for any indication that someone inside the SUV could still be rescued.

“We made every initial effort that was possible to identify any viable victims, any chance for an air pocket or something like that for the victims that were underwater,” the fire official said. “None were found on the initial reconnaissance. No air pockets, no survivability.”

Crews spent more than an hour working in and around the canal before a heavy wrecker was used to pull the white SUV from the water. Officials then confirmed one person was dead inside.

Police later identified the driver as Kroldart.

Authorities have not released additional information about what caused Kroldart’s vehicle to enter the canal.