UPDATE: Passenger Killed After Crash Sends Car Into Boca Raton Lake

The drainage canal where a vehicle ended up submerged, Sept. 23, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The passenger in a vehicle involved in a crash in the westernmost portion of Boca Raton on Monday lost her life after the vehicle in which she was riding slid of the road and into a canal.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said the crash claimed the life of Joanne Sue Romano, 69, of Boca Raton. She was the passenger in a 2014 Honda Crosstour being driven by Sharon Veda Smith Young, 60, of Tamarac.

According to a statement from PBSO, dispatchers received a 911 call at 12:31 p.m. reporting a car had plunged into the canal near the intersection of Boca Falls Drive and Palmetto Park Road. Deputies determined the driver of the Volkswagen was making a left turn to head eastbound onto Palmetto Park Road and failed to yield the right of way to a 2012 Volkswagen Passat being driven by Tori Rose Stark, 18, of Boca Raton.

The Honda ultimately cross into the path of the Volkswagen, leading the front right side of the Volkswagen to collide with the rear left of the Honda. After impact, the Honda ran off the roadway towards the right, onto a grassy shoulder, and ultimately into a body of water, where it came to a final rest fully submerged.

The driver of the Honda was able to climb out while the passenger, Romano, was rescued by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue approximately 15 minutes later and transported to West Boca Medical Center. Romano died at the hospital from injuries sustained during the crash, including drowning, PBSO’s statement said.

When rescuers arrived, a statement said, one vehicle was seen damaged on the side of the road, while onlookers pointed out a second vehicle that had become almost completely submerged in a lake that leads to a canal. A dive team had swimmers in the water within one minute, authorities said, and freed the victim from the vehicle. The search continued, however it was later confirmed that there were no other people trapped.

In all, four people were transported to local hospitals – the drivers and two passengers, including Saidlynn Desty, 18, of Boca Raton, who was riding in the Volkswagen at the time. Desty’s injury was considered minor while Stark’s injury was considered serious. The driver of the Honda suffered only minor injuries.