SORRENTO, FL : Bystanders tried to rescue driver in fatal wreck on Tuesday, 15th September 2016

Good Samaritans in a rural area of Sorrento rushed to their homes to grab fire extinguishers on Tuesday afternoon in a desperate attempt to put out a car fire after a neighbor crashed into a tree.
But the fire just kept growing and the 2006 Chevy Corvette was too mangled to pull the driver out, identified as a 63-year-old male from Sorrento. He died at the scene.
“I just wish there was something more we could have done,” said a woman who lives across from the crash site in the 30900 block of Swan Road and would only give her name as Sherry.
Yellow caution tape still circled the tree with part of its bark peeled off on Wednesday.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man was driving south at a high rate of speed on Swan Road near State Road 46 around 3:50 p.m. when he lost control.
Sherry, along with another woman who identified herself only as Christina, said they heard the collision but couldn’t find any nearby water. They said between them and other residents, they grabbed three fire extinguishers from their homes but couldn’t put out the fire.
They used one of the extinguishers to break a window, but they were unable to pull the driver out.
“It’s just sad,” said Christina.
Sgt. Kim Montes said Wednesday morning that the collision left the vehicle in several pieces, but the man was still inside the car when emergency crews reached the scene. A spokesman with Lake County Fire-Rescue said crews were able to put the fire out quickly.
The crash occurred just before a slight curve in the road.
Troopers were unable to confirm the man's identity through his driver’s license picture due to the burns he sustained in the crash. Montes said they would release the victim’s name once they reach potential next of kin and the medical examiner is able to make a positive identification through dental records.
Residents on Swan Road said they only knew the man by the name Socker and that he didn’t mingle much with neighbors.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine if the driver died from the fire or blunt force trauma.
According to a Facebook post, the man had just left Oasis Saloon before the crash. Montes said alcohol and drug tests are pending and they may try to determine how much the driver had to drink and where.
The bar’s manager, Chuck West, told the Daily Commercial he only met the man Tuesday but the victim did come into the bar occasionally.
West added the victim came into the bar about 2:25 p.m. Tuesday, ordered a shot of alcohol and a Budweiser, his usual drinks, before he left and returned about a half-hour later and only took a couple sips out of another beer.
West said the driver seemed depressed and was talking about his wife leaving him.
“He was like, ‘I’m tired of talking with the dog,’” West said.
Sherry, Christina and other neighbors all said his wife had recently left. However, Christina said she was upset there weren’t any speed bumps on a street where children play and drivers frequently disregard the 35 mph speed limit. She plans to address the county government about it.

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Bystanders tried to rescue driver in fatal wreck