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Car Plunges Into Pond After Swerving To Avoid Crash On Route 1 In South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A car that swerved to avoid a crash ended up plunging into a pond in New Jersey.

Police said the 42-year-old driver of the Honda Accord was trying to avoid another multiple-vehicle crash that occurred on Route 1 in South Brunswick around 8:30 a.m. Friday when the vehicle took a nosedive into a retention pond.

Driver Stephanie Trent was safe at home Friday night, thankful that a witness jumped into the water to help her.

"I was trying to get my phone. I didn't know who I was going to call. I think 911, but I was too nervous and shaken up and the phone dropped," she said.

It happened when she swerved to avoid a three-car accident.

"As I was approaching, came out from one of the cars that were stalled in the left lane, and from what I can remember that car hit me," she said.

That's when she crashed through a gate. She doesn't remember feeling the impact, but the fear of being unable to get out of her car was and still is terrifying."

"I was crying, screaming, praying. I needed to get out of the car," she said.

Video posted by police on Twitter shows the car submerged in eight feet of water after it crashed through a gate and flying off the highway.

She was able to get into the back seat, and that's when she noticed a man in the water.

Police said one of the drivers involved in the initial crash got into the water and helped the woman swim to safety. She was taken to an area hospital for minor injuries.

"Had he not been willing to do that, I don't know. It may have been a different outcome for sure," she said.

One of her 7-year-old twin boys, Isaiah, wouldn't let go of his mommy. he was scared when she told him what happened.

"I gave her a big hug and a kiss," he said.

Then he and his brother had a question for mom.

"They wanted to know if I'm gonna get a mustang now," she said.

Trent said the mustang isn't likely to happen. She also said she won't be getting behind the wheel of any of the cars in her driveway.

Police said it took two hours to pull the vehicle out.

A section of Route 1 was shut down for about an hour.

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