June 7, 2021 – Update: The Dallas County Medical Examiner has identified the victim as 49-year-old Rita Jo Vinson, resident of Greenville, Texas.
Sunday, June 6, at 2:18 a.m., the Garland Fire Department and Garland Police Department responded to the report of a person trapped in a white Nissan Altima that was surrounded by rushing water in the 1700 block of Holford Road.
As GFD personnel arrived on the scene, they observed the vehicle trapped in the rushing water at the north end of the bridge. The water was rapidly flowing over the bridge from west to east and is believed to have been approximately 12 to 24 inches deep. Due to the depth and speed of the rushing water, fire personnel were unable to safely reach the vehicle from their position. Before the arrival of additional fire personnel, the vehicle was swept into the creek.
The fire department began their search and rescue operations and later found the vehicle unoccupied in the creek approximately 300 yards from the bridge.
The Wylie, Richardson and Plano Fire Departments arrived to assist, along with K-9 teams from Lone Star Search and Rescue and the Department of Public Safety helicopter.
The search operation is ongoing. It is believed the vehicle was occupied by one person.