ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A man was hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after his Tesla crashed into the mangroves at the base of the Dick Misener Bridge.
St. Pete Fire Rescue crews responded around 12:30 p.m. to reports that a white Tesla Model 3 was on its side.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 25-year-old male driver was speeding southbound on Interstate 275 when he lost control while approaching the Skyway Bridge.
Bystanders told investigators that the Tesla sped off the roadway and went airborne before crashing into the drainage pond and overturning into the mangroves.
Troopers said the driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from his car and thrown into the Gulf of Mexico.
A passing boater was able to pull the driver from the water and bring him to the nearby Maximo boat ramp where they were met by paramedics.
The driver was transported as a trauma alert to Orlando Health Bayfront in St. Petersburg.
Investigators say the driver initially told them he had his daughter and mother in the car with him.
Given this information, rescue divers with St. Pete Fire Rescue did an underwater search of the mangroves and surrounding area while additional crews completed an aerial search.
The Florida Highway Patrol located the driver's mother and daughter at a separate location, confirming that the driver was actually alone at the time of the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.