2 adults, 1 child dead after vehicle submerged at Lake Monroe

UPDATE: The Monroe County Coroner’s Office on Monday identified the adults and child who died as Estella Huerta, 67; Alejandro Hernandez-Huerta, 31; and Alex Oliver Hernandez, 4, all of Lawrence, Indiana. The preliminary cause of death for all three people was consistent with drowning and their manners of death remained pending. The incident on Monday remained under investigation.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH/AP) — Two adults and a child were found dead Saturday after the vehicle they were in was found in the water near a boat ramp at Lake Monroe, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

DNR authorities told News 8 a call was received around 10:30 p.m. Saturday reporting a car was seen driving into the the water at Paynetown State Recreation Area boat ramp. That’s on the north side of the lake, west of State Highway 446.

A witness told authorities the driver called out for help and tried to exit the vehicle. Witnesses were unable to rescue the people inside before the vehicle was submerged.

Authorities say the bodies of a man and woman were recovered at the scene. A boy was also removed from the car and transported to IU Health Bloomington. The boy later died at the hospital.

It is unclear at this time why the vehicle entered the water.

The identifications of the victims have not yet been released.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.