Woman, 27, and Toddler Die, 3 Others Rescued After SUV Crashes into Ohio Pond: 'Incidents Like This Impact Us All Deeply'
Five individuals, including three adults and two children, were trapped inside the vehicle at the time of the crash
An investigation into the cause of the incident is currently being conducted by the West Jefferson Police Department and the Ohio State Highway PatrolA woman and a toddler have died after an SUV crashed into a retention pond in Ohio.
On Thursday, June 5, police responded to reports of 'a vehicle submerged' in the water by U.S. Route 40 and Park West Drive in West Jefferson, the West Jefferson Police Department (WJPD) said in a news release shared on Facebook.
Authorities then 'initiated a water rescue' to try and save those trapped inside the car, per the WJPD.
Three adults and two children were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, according to a press release obtained by PEOPLE from the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP).
The driver, Chineda Valcin, 29, was able to escape the vehicle, and another adult, Medgine Louis, 24, and a 5-year-old child were rescued before the car sank. However, a 27-year-old woman, identified as Kelita Alfred, and a 3-year-old child were pulled from the vehicle and sent to a Columbus hospital, where they were later pronounced dead, the OSHP said.
Per the OSHP, Valcin was driving a 2016 Jeep Cherokee when "she traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a ditch and coming to rest in a retention pond" around 6:30 p.m. local time.
Footage released by WSYX shows police officers running across a field to rescue the individuals trapped in the vehicle in the pond.
Screams can be heard in the background, while one person shouted, 'I need another life jacket!'
Multiple fire departments, along with A2B Towing and Recovery, also responded to the scene to help with the rescue and assist the individuals recovered, the WJPD said.
The two surviving adults were not injured, while the 5-year-old child suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Nationwide Children's Hospital for care, according to the OSHP.
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Brandon Smith, the WJPD's Chief of Police said, 'Today was a powerful reminder of what it means to serve and the true meaning of teamwork."
"From law enforcement to fire and rescue, towing recovery services, and medical personnel, it was an all-hands-on-deck response united by a common goal: saving lives," he continued, highlighting how one of the police officers involved "is currently in the final weeks of field training."
"Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers remain with all those affected. Incidents like this impact us all deeply, and we stand together as a community," added Smith.
An investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.
The WJPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, June 7.
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