Car crashes into Simpson River in Pace as driver suffers medical episode

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. -- A car ended up partially in the Simpson River in Pace Tuesday morning after the driver suffered a medical episode.

It happened around 7:45 a.m. in the area of Highway 90 and The Simpson River Bridge Fishing Pier.

FHP troopers arrived on scene to find a small white sedan partially submerged in the river.

"Troopers discovered the driver of the vehicle suffered a medical episode which caused her to become inattentive at the wheel," FHP states in a release. "A passenger inside of the vehicle attempted to control vehicle and steer it off of the roadway. The vehicle struck a guard rail, became airborne, and came to final rest partially submerged into the river."

The driver -- a 70-year-old Pace woman -- was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Three passengers -- a 14-year-old Milton girl, a 15-year-old Milton girl and a 5-year-old Milton girl -- were uninjured.