WEST JEFFERSON, Ohio (WCMH) – Five people, including at least one child, are hospitalized after a car went into a pond in West Jefferson Thursday night.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Madison County, the incident happened on US Route 40 and Parkwest Drive just before 6:30 p.m.
Police said two of the victims were in cardiac arrest and taken to a local hospital; the three other victims are believed to be in non-life-threatening condition.
The car was fully submerged in the pond when police arrived at the scene, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol. The car has been removed from the water.
According to Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Merrill Thompson, a witness told police they saw the car drive by in the left-hand lane of U.S. 40, pass them, then slowly drive into the right lane and into the pond.
The witness helped the victims escape from the vehicle, and four of the five people were out of the car by the time it fully submerged in the water.
“While we’re still investigating the cause of this crash, it’s just a good reminder to, you know, make sure that you’re doing the speed limit, don’t be distracted in the vehicle, whether it’s by your phone or people inside the vehicle, on the radio, and just maintain visual in front of you and just make sure everyone in the vehicle is safe,” Thompson said.
In addition to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the West Jefferson Police Department, Jefferson Township EMS, and Prairie EMS responded to the scene.