Family remembers Indianapolis man pulled from water as a man of faith

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis man is being remembered as a man of faith.

Family members of Jachai Edwards are calling his death a tragic accident after his car plunged into the water on the city’s west side. It happened at Mariners Village Apartments on Islander Drive on Saturday.

Family said Jachai Edwards, 18, was in the car with his girlfriend. The car was parked and the key was out of the ignition. But for whatever reason, they said the car went down the slope, jumped the curb, and crashed into the water.

“You know we’re a very spiritual family so unfortunately sad to say we do believe that it was his time to go, you know whether it was an accident or not,” said Dorian Elzy, victim’s brother.

Family and friends returned to the scene Monday evening where divers had pulled Edwards out of the water.

Dorian Elzy said it still hasn’t hit him yet that his younger brother is really gone.

“Walking into that hospital and seeing him on that bed, I swear I wished he would just turned over and was like no I’m just kidding,” said Elzy.

Elzy said he was on his way to his sister’s place when he received a phone call that his brother was in the water.

“My sister was crying my cousin was in the water,” said Elzy. “I tried to jump in but they grabbed me, he actually made it into the water but they made him get out.”

It all happened Saturday night when the Wayne Township Fire Department received a call for a submerged car.

They learned two people had been trapped inside. Edward’s girlfriend made it out safely.

“Him and his girlfriend, they had to climb out of the passenger window and she didn’t know that he didn’t know how to swim,” he said. “So she swam back to shore but then she realized that he wasn’t coming and he was struggling and she tried to go back to get him but she couldn’t.”

Family described Edwards as a kind and gentle soul, who had a strong relationship with God. His sister said he had plans to become a minister.

“A lot of people always say like you know my family is close to God but my brother was truly, even at 18-years-old, had a strong passion you know? He had Christ in his heart,” said Tauna Hill, victim’s brother.

Hill said they know one day they will all meet again. For now, she and her family are relying on their faith to cope with the loss.

“You know God just wanted his angel back I mean there’s nothing that we could do when God has his hands in the situation you got to let your hands go we did everything we could,” said De’Lon Breedlove, victim’s cousin.

Click here if you would like to help the family with funeral expenses.