Mother mourns daughter killed in Cooper City canal accident – NBC 6 South Florida

A devastated mother is mourning the loss of her youngest daughter after she died in a Cooper City canal accident Wednesday.

“That was my little girl, that was my youngest daughter, and she had so many plans for the future,” Blanche Pastore said through tears. “I just pray to God he just put his arms around her.”

Pastore's daughter, 23-year-old Caitlynn Heron, was driving the car when it crashed into the canal at Griffin Road and Southwest 90th Avenue around 6 a.m

“We got a call because her boyfriend was in the car and his mother called my other daughter, and my daughter called me, and they identified her by our matching tattoos,” Pastore said.

These matching tattoos are angel numbers that are meant to symbolize prosperity and protection.

Heron's friend managed to escape, but Heron did not.

She was found dead in the vehicle, the sheriff's office said.

Her boyfriend was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Aerial footage showed more than a dozen emergency vehicles parked near the canal as divers searched the waters. Emotional people were also seen approaching the crime scene. A woman collapsed to the ground with her head in her hands.

Footage later showed the damaged white vehicle being pulled out of the canal.

BSO spokesman Carey Codd said investigators believe it was a single-car accident and said the car crashed into part of a small bridge before entering the water.

“This is a very tragic and heartbreaking situation and our condolences go out to the family of the young woman who died here today and everyone who knew and cared for her,” Codd told reporters.

Authorities said they were also investigating how the crash occurred.

The incident closed the westbound lanes of Griffin Road from Pine Island Road to the 8800 block of Griffin Road. BSO said Orange Drive was also shut down between the 8700 and 8800 blocks.

Griffin Road will reopen soon, but Orange Drive will likely remain closed for a while, authorities said.

Heron's family now hopes she is remembered for the beautiful life she lived, rather than the tragic way she died.

“She was just a beautiful person,” her mother said.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.