LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. (WFLA) – A heroic off-duty agent reunited with her grandmother and her 2-year-old granddaughter a few weeks after rescued them as the car jumped into the canal.
On March 20th, Audrey Villieres and granddaughter Ameka were leaving the Walmart parking lot at 7 North State Road in Lauderdale Lake, 3001, when the car entered the canal and began to sink.
Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy, Andrew Allenker, who had just finished his work that day, was warned of an emergency and responded immediately.
At the scene, Alencar immediately jumped into the canal and used a plunger to break the windows to rescue the child.
“I quickly found the car there and as I approached the car, I saw a woman and a baby in the back seat of the car. The car was sinking. I knew I didn’t have time, so I had to act,” Alencar Deputy Bureau said.
According to Alencar, he swam the child back to the shore before opening the car door to save Audrey.
“I remember getting out of the water and walking into the car. I remember asking about the baby. ‘What about the baby? What about the baby?’ I was worried,” Deputy Alenker said.
BCSO investigators determined that the accident was due to a possible malfunction of the vehicle.
Both my grandmother and granddaughter were not injured in the ordeal. The aide was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for minor cuts and ingestion.
Two weeks after the accident, Audrey and the Ameka family were able to thank them directly for their selfless behavior that day.
BCSO spoke to Audrey’s daughter, Ameika’s mother. He said the family is now sharing a “special bond” of thanks to Vice Alencar.
“I thank him God. He was in the right place at the right time.”
