2 dead, 2 critical after SUV enters northern Indiana pond

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (AP) - Two people drowned and two others were left hospitalized in critical condition after an SUV plunged into a northern Indiana pond, authorities said.

Mishawaka firefighters called the scene Tuesday afternoon pulled one adult and three juveniles from the fully submerged SUV after it entered a retention pond in the city just east of South Bend.

St. Joseph County Coroner Michael J. McGann said the two crash victims who were pronounced dead had died from drowning. The two others were in critical condition at local hospitals.

Witnesses said the SUV was traveling along a road when it left the roadway and entered the pond, said David Ray, assistant chief for the Mishawaka Fire Department. Local roads were icy at the time, but officials were still investigating what caused the SUV to drive into the pond.

Divers searched the pond to be certain all of the SUV's occupants had been accounted for.