Woman, toddler dead after SUV submerges in retention pond after crash

WEST JEFFERSON, Ohio (TMX) - A woman and a toddler are dead after the vehicle they were in crashed into a retention pond Thursday evening, officials in Ohio said.

Shortly after 6 p.m. on Thursday, witnesses saw a 2016 Jeep Cherokee traveling westbound in the area of U.S. 40 and Park West Drive in West Jefferson when it veered off the road and into a retention pond.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were three adults and two children inside the vehicle.

The West Jefferson Police Department also responded to the scene, and three officers and a trooper immediately set out to pull the victims from the water while fire departments were still en route.

“Their selfless and heroic actions were focused solely on the preservation of life, demonstrating the very best of public service and courage under pressure,” West Jefferson Police Chief Brandon Smith said in a statement. “One of the officers is currently in the final weeks of field training.”

OSHP said the driver was able to self-extricate. One adult and a 5-year-old child were rescued before the vehicle sank. The remaining adult, 27-year-old Kelita Alfred, and a 3-year-old child were then pulled from the vehicle and transported to a Columbus hospital where they were pronounced dead.

The other adults were not injured, and the 5-year-old was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers remain with all those affected. Incidents like this impact us all deeply, and we stand together as a community,” Smith said.

The crash remains under investigation.

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