Investigators have identified the 46-year-old woman who died after she spent two hours underwater in a car submerged in Lake Lillinonah in Bridgewater after driving off a state-owned boat launch Saturday afternoon, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Ewa Bielska, of New Milford, did not survive after dive teams located her and her car about 40 yards from the boat launch, submerged in water 40 feet deep.
She was unconscious initially when she was pulled from the water. Bridgewater EMS personnel transported her to Danbury Hospital and medical personnel attempted to revive her, but she was pronounced dead at the hospital at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Bielska was the only occupant in the car, according to DEEP. Environmental Conservation (EnCon) police from the state agency are overseeing the investigation because the boat launch is state-owned. Authorities responded at about noon.
State and Bridgewater police also responded to assist as necessary. Dive teams from Brookfield and New Milford police and Newtown underwater search and rescue crews also responded.
They needed to use a heavy duty tow truck in their response.
Investigators aren't releasing the name of the woman pulled from the water until her family is notified.
U.S. & World
The circumstances that led up to the car driving into the water are unknown.
The vehicle was sealed when it was removed from the water and no windows were open.
The incident doesn't appear to be suspicious, according to investigators.
