On a fateful evening in Griffin, Georgia, the serene beauty of Dundee Lake was shattered by a harrowing incident that gripped the community. On August 10, 2025, an Acura TL careened off Dundee Lake Road, plunging into the tranquil waters of the lake in Spalding County. What unfolded was a dramatic scene of chaos, bravery, and a desperate fight for survival, as emergency responders and local heroes rallied to save the occupants trapped within the submerged vehicle.
The vehicle, driven by an alleged drunk driver, was traveling at a high rate of speed down Dundee Lake Road, a quiet stretch often frequented by locals for its picturesque views. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the car veered into the parking lot of Dundee Lake Park, a beloved 184-acre haven known for its 28-acre fishing lake and historic roots as Dobbins Mill. In a reckless moment, the Acura struck a boulder meant to guide traffic, launching it into a grassy area before it plummeted into the lake’s depths. Inside the vehicle were three occupants: a woman, a 3-year-old child, and a third individual whose identity remains undisclosed.
As the car began to sink, the driver managed to climb out and stand atop the vehicle, a fleeting moment of self-preservation. But inside, a 3-year-old child remained trapped, surrounded by rising water. The situation was dire, and time was slipping away. Griffin’s emergency services sprang into action with remarkable speed. Firefighters and police from the Griffin Police Department, a state-certified and nationally accredited agency, descended on the scene. Their mission was clear: save the child.
With precision and courage, first responders waded into the lake, battling the murky waters to reach the submerged vehicle. The child, unresponsive and in critical condition, was carefully extracted from the car. On the shore, medics performed CPR, their hands working tirelessly until the faint pulse of life returned to the young victim. A medical helicopter, its blades slicing through the night air, awaited to airlift the child to a hospital in Atlanta, where specialized care could offer a fighting chance. The woman and the third occupant were transported to a local hospital, with the woman reported to be in stable condition, a small beacon of hope amid the chaos.
The community of Dundee Lake, known for its tight-knit, friendly atmosphere and love for outdoor activities like fishing and picnicking, stood in stunned silence as the rescue unfolded. Neighbors, accustomed to the lake’s peaceful allure, were reminded of its hidden dangers. Dundee Lake Park, once a grist mill in the 1840s and later a water source for Dundee Mills, had never witnessed such a dramatic scene. Yet, the spirit of Griffin shone through as bystanders and emergency crews worked in unison, their collective efforts a testament to the town’s resilience.
As the child fights for recovery in Atlanta, the driver now faces a litany of charges that reflect the gravity of the incident: driving under the influence, serious injury by vehicle, endangering a child under 14 while intoxicated, reckless driving, and child safety seat violations. The Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is diving into the details, piecing together the events that led to this near-tragedy. Questions linger: How did the driver lose control? What led to such reckless speed? The investigation promises answers, but for now, the focus remains on the recovery of the victims, particularly the young child whose life hangs in the balance.
In Griffin, a town no stranger to challenges—from recent child exploitation arrests to a tragic fire at Shoal Creek Landfill sparked by lithium-ion batteries—the Dundee Lake incident is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the power of community response. The Spalding County Office of Homeland Security, which coordinates disaster response and promotes preparedness through programs like the Community Emergency Response Team, underscores the importance of readiness in moments like these. As the sun sets over Dundee Lake, its waters calm once more, Griffin holds its breath, hoping for healing and justice in the wake of a night that will not soon be forgotten.
