Woman drives vehicle into Branch County lake

Branch County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded last week to a report of a vehicle that was driven into Coldwater Lake.

Sheriff Fred Blankenship said central dispatch received a call shortly before 12:30 a.m. March 14 at Centennial Road and Warren Road in Ovid Township.

Investigators said a 19-year-old woman from Benton Harbor was driving south on Centennial Road when she failed to stop at the Warren Road intersection. The vehicle continued south, struck an outdoor fireplace and boat lift, before entering the lake and overturning.

The victim was able to free herself from the vehicle. She was treated at Insight Hospital, Blankenship said.