Angel San Juan

KBMT-TV, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A 72-year-old man and his dog died of heat exhaustion Monday after they were unable to get out of his locked Corvette, according to police.

Police believe that when James Rogers got into the vehicle, a cable became loose and cut off the power to the operate the horn and locks. Rogers did not know how to manually unlock the vehicle and became trapped inside, according to the Port Arthur Police Department.

Police believe heat exhaustion eventually killed the two, as they sat in the parking lot of a Waffle House in Port Arthur.

Mike Flash, the owner of Corvette Specialties, told 12News that the 2007 Corvette has a manual release located on the floorboard by the driver's seat. But Rogers did not know that.

First responders also struggled to find a way to get Rogers out of the car, said M.J. Ponsegrau, who was at the scene.

Ponsegrau said eventually firefighters had to break the window.

"There's is a way to get in, but it's not common knowledge," he said.

James Rogers', daughter Tricia Hernandez, said it's heartbreaking that his dream car ended up taking his life. Hernandez said police believe her dad made a valiant effort to escape and possibly died while looking through the car's manual. He could not call for help because he had left his phone inside Waffle House.

As strange as the accident seems, it's not isolated.

Isabel Moreno told reporters he owned a 2006 Corvette and was trapped inside when the battery went out.

Fortunately, he said eventually the battery started recharging itself enough to be able to roll the window down, and he was able to get out safely.

Rogers is survived by three children and five grandchildren.