Woman drives car into lagoon

A routine 911 call changed when a woman tried to sink her car in the Foster City Lagoon Saturday morning, forcing a full-fledge rescue effort by police and firefighters.

Foster City Police officers were dispatched to a report of a hit-and-run accident at Taco Bell, 1131 Triton Drive, at approximately 1:33 a.m. Saturday. Shortly after, police located the car in question, a 2006 blue Toyota Camry, at the foot of the boat launch on Shell Boulevard, just south of the Foster City Recreation Center, according to a press release by Foster City police.

The driver, later identified as 56-year-old San Mateo resident Kathy Blatz, appeared to be asleep behind the wheel. When officers approached the vehicle, Blatz opened her eyes, locked the door, put the car in drive and sped into the lagoon, according to police.

Two Foster City officers and a sergeant dove into the water to rescue Blatz from the quickly sinking car while the Foster City Fire Department was being called to the scene, according to police.

The officers successfully reached the car that was approximately 40 to 50 feet away from the shoreline and brought Blatz back to the shore, according to police.

Foster City firefighters arrived on scene, deployed a rescue boat, checked the vehicle to ensure no one else was trapped and rendered medical assistance to the officers and Blatz. No one involved sustained any significant injuries, according to police.

Blatz was transported to San Mateo Medical Center for observation. Blatz was later cited and released for hit and run and driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police.

Blatz’s blood alcohol content was not available.

The Foster City Fire Department is trained in basic water rescue awareness and 12 firefighters are certified as Advanced Water Rescue Technicians. Four those firefighters responded to Saturday’s incident, according to police.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.