Death of woman who drove into creek ruled accidental, authorities say

The death of a 60-year-old woman drowned after making a wrong turn and driving her car into a creek in Carneys Point this weekend has been ruled an accident by a medical examiner, according to published reports.

According to NJ Advance Media, an autopsy performed by a medical examiner Monday determined that the woman's death was an accident, and drowning was listed as the official cause of death.

The victim, identified as Cathy Shorter, had been at a family gathering at the Salem County Sportsmen's Club Saturday night, and left between 8 p.m. and midnight, Carneys Point Police told NJ Advance Media.

Shorter's car, a Mazda 626, was found floating in Game Creek near the club's boat ramp. The discovery was made Sunday by a club member between 10:30 and 11 a.m., Carneys Point Police Lt. Michael Colletti told the website. Police believe Shorter made a wrong turn while attempting to get back to U.S. Route 40, and instead drove onto the club's boat ramp and into the water, the article states.

Rescue units and a dive team found the woman's body in the vehicle and pulled her from the water, the article states. She was not using a GPS at the time of the accident, police told NJ Advance Media.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.