Durham man identified as driver who died after car went into pond near Southpoint Mall

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A driver died after his car left the parking lot and crashed into a pond at The Streets at Southpoint late Tuesday afternoon.

Police say the driver was 65-year-old Morris James Johnson Jr of Durham.

Investigators also confirm a Durham firefighter and police officer sustained minor injuries during the rescue effort in the 6900 block of Fayetteville Road just before 6 p.m.

Johnson's car was half submerged with its front end in the pond when first responders went in to rescue him.

They performed life-saving measures and took the driver to Duke University Hospital where Johnson was pronounced dead, Durham police say.

Durham Fire Battalion Chief Mitchell Morkunas said the firefighter and officer were taken to a hospital for treatment.

How or why Johnson's car went into the pond is still unclear.

The incident remains under investigation and police ask that anyone who witnessed the crash or who has information about the crash contact Investigator J. Colquitt with the Durham Police Department Traffic and Crash Team at (919) 560-4935 ext. 29450.