A woman and a toddler drowned after their vehicle crashed into a retention pond Thursday evening, Ohio authorities said.
The 2016 Jeep Cherokee was traveling westbound on U.S. 40 and Park West Drive in West Jefferson when it went off-road and crashed into a retention pond shortly after 6 p.m.
The vehicle was carrying three adults and two children at the time of the crash. Three officers responded to the scene and helped pull the victims out of the submerged vehicle.
“Their selfless and heroic actions were focused solely on the preservation of life, demonstrating the very best of pubic service and courage under pressure,” said Police Chief Brandon Smith.
“One of the officers is currently in the final weeks of field training.”
The driver extricated themselves from the vehicle while one adult and a 5-year-old were pulled out before the car became fully submerged.
27-year-old Kelita Alfred and a 3-year-old were pronounced dead at a Columbus hospital.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers remain with all those affected. Incidents like this impact us all deeply, and we stand together as a community.”
