Driver escapes sinking car after crashing into Jacksonville retention pond

This browser does not support the video element.

A driver escaped from a sinking car after crashing into a retention pond on Jacksonville’s southside on Thursday afternoon.

The pond is off I-295 near St. Johns Bluff.

The car was submerged for hours before crews were able to pull it out.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said officers are not sure why the driver drove into the pond.

Police said the driver is not hurt.

The dive team captain told Action News Jax this is not the first time his team has had to dive into this same retention pond in the past year or so.