Driver of Submerged Van Has Died

Both the driver and the passenger in a van that landed in the San Diego Bay last week have died.

The Vista husband and wife were riding in a Dodge Caravan heading south along Harbor Island Drive just before 11 p.m. April 6, according to Harbor Police.

When officers arrived witnesses told them the vehicle didn't turn left or right at the T intersection but instead hit the curb and launched into the San Diego Bay.

The only visible sign of the van in the water was the headlights, still on underwater.

Two of the officers who responded are certified divers but didn't have time to gear up. They jumped in anyway and pulled the couple from the water.

They found the woman in the driver's seat and the man floating near the back of the van. Both victims were unconscious and not breathing. Emergency crews started CPR on both people before putting them into ambulances and sending them to

UCSD Medical Center

.

Officers estimate the couple was underwater between 5 and 10 minutes.

Robert Johnson, 62, of Vista died Thursday from his injuries. Margaret Johnson, 57, died Saturday at the UCSD Medical Center.

Harbor Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. They say a similar crash happened more than a year ago at the same intersection.

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