Man Rescues Co-Worker from Near-Drowning in Sinking Truck
During the afternoon hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025, Ryan Lauber was taking a quick break outside the Publix grocery store on Dunn Avenue when he heard what sounded like a call for help coming from the pond behind the loading dock.
Lauber, who has family members in law enforcement, went to investigate. He saw what appeared to be a pickup truck sinking into the dark water. Without hesitation, he jumped a six-foot chain-link fence and dove in.
Lauber’s 19-year-old co-worker was trapped inside the sinking vehicle. The young man had just finished his shift and was driving around the back of the store when he lost control of his vehicle, crashed through bushes and a fence, and ended up in the retention pond.
The man said he had been trapped for about 10 minutes and swallowed water as he got out of his submerged truck, narrowly escaping death. Lauber found him floating, exhausted, near the truck.
As Lauber pulled him to safety, JSO officers, including one who was off-duty and nearby, arrived on scene, prepared to dive in. By that time, the truck was fully submerged, with only bubbles marking its location. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews checked the young adult and transported him to a local hospital. He was awake, alert, and is expected to make a full recovery.
After the incident, JSO District 6 Patrol Officers thanked Lauber for his selfless heroism in rescuing his co-worker. Officer A. Stallings (pictured) presented him with a District 6 challenge coin as a token of appreciation.
Drivers are reminded to please slow down and be careful. If your vehicle is in the water, stay calm, unbuckle your seatbelt, and immediately try to open or break a window.
Video footage from this incident is available on JSO's Facebook page.