Deputy was returning from Walmart when he saw sinking car—his actions helped save a grandma and a 2-yr-old
The call to step up and astutely help another can often catch one off guard. We are called to exercise bravery and kindness in such interactions. Broward Sheriff’s Office shared the rescue by Deputy Andrew Alencar, who promptly responded to this call to help after spotting a sinking vehicle in the Lauderdale Lakes. The man was returning from Walmart and noticed the vehicle in a dangerous scenario. Without hesitation, he jumped into action to check on the situation and his swift response helped save the lives of a grandmother, Audrey Villieres, and her 2-year-old granddaughter, Ameika Brown, as reported by WPLG Local 10.
The deputy was returning from the store and was reportedly off duty when he was alerted about a car crash. Alencar quickly spotted the vehicle and was worried to see Villieres and the toddler stuck inside. “I saw a lady and a baby in the back seat of the vehicle and it was sinking. I knew I didn’t have much time, so I needed to act,” he recalled. The elderly woman had reportedly gone to the backseat of the car after it started to sink so she could try to help her granddaughter stay safe. “I could see on their faces that they were very shocked,” Alencar said.
He immediately jumped into the water and first worked on rescuing the baby. He broke open the window and safely got the child out. “When I held the baby, it was hard to swim because I couldn’t touch the bottom. So, I held the baby above my head, I went down in the water and took a couple of steps and was able to swim back to shore,” Alencar recalled. He went back to get Villireres. He managed to open the door and quickly got the woman out and eventually to the shore. The Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue personnel tended to the duo.
The grandmother and granddaughter were both fine, thanks to the timely intervention of the officer. It was later discovered that the vehicle went into the water due to an accident caused by a malfunction. Alencar was taken to the hospital for ingestion of canal water and minor cuts but soon recovered. Villieres and her family were thrilled to reunite with the deputy to thank him for his brave response. “I am so happy to see him now. I didn’t know he was in the hospital, and I said, ‘Oh my God, save him, don’t let anything bad happen to him,’” she noted.
Sheree Linton, Brown’s mother, recalled how terrified she was when she heard of the accident and the relief that followed when Alencar saved them. “I had a panic attack, I couldn’t breathe, so I stopped the car for a little bit,” she recalled. Fortunately, when she drove to the store, she was relieved to see the situation was already under control. “I was so happy that he was working at the Walmart that day, at that time, because if he wasn’t working there, I don’t know what would have happened,” she said.
Dabria Moulton, Brown’s sister, noted that the officer going out of his way to save the duo when he was off duty is beyond commendable. “He did this out of the kindness in his heart and that shows how brave and compassionate he is,” she said. Alencar had a simple perspective in mind. “Before being a deputy, I am a father, so when I do anything for the community, I always picture doing something for my family,” he remarked.