Jacksonville man rescued from gator-infested water

A Jacksonville man was rescued from gator-infested waters after he traveled off a roadway while driving the wrong way in Alachua County early Saturday morning, authorities said.

The driver, 46-year-old Jeffrey Surridge, was driving a 2011 Hyundai Sonata the wrong way on I-75 at mile marker 380 near Payne's Prairie about 4:35 a.m. when he went off the roadway into standing water, the Florida Highway patrol said.

An Alachua County deputy had to swim out to the car in order to rescue Surridge. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office said the water is gator-infested.

The dive team recovered the vehicle, which sank during the rescue.

Surridge was taken to UF Health's emergency room. The Highway Patrol said alcohol was not involved in the crash.

Cox Media Group