An SUV drove into a lake in Tempe, Arizona, leaving the family of five inside dead on Sunday.
Vehicle with 4 inside drives into Tempe Town Lake. They were unconscious when rescued. http://t.co/pGnHkAvxmG
Police on Monday announced they were investigating the crash as a murder-suicide, the Associated Press reported. It appears that 27-year-old Glenn Baxter meant to drive the SUV into the lake, authorities said.
Baxter, his estranged wife Danica Baxter, 25, along with their 6-month-old girl were rushed to the hospital following the crash around midnight. They were pronounced dead at the hospital, the Arizona Republic reported.
A 2-year-old boy arrived in "extremely critical condition," police said. He died Sunday afternoon.
With great sadness we inform you the remaining family member, a 2 year boy has also died.
As divers recovered the vehicle, they found another child — a 3-year-old boy — had also died.
CORRECTION: 2 children have died, 2 year old boy remains in extremely critical condition. Both adults, parents of children have also died.
All the children had been buckled into carseats, police told KPHO.
The children were later identified as Reighn, Nazyiah, and Zariyah, the Associated Press reported.
A medical examiner will perform an autopsy and toxicology tests on Glenn Baxter.
Following the crash, family members said the couple had separated several months ago. The children's mother had declined her husband's attempts to reconcile because he had not addressed his anger problems, one relative told the AP.
Police respond to a car crash into Tempe Town Lake that killed four this morning near the Ironman Race.
Police described the deaths as heartbreaking.
Absolutely heartbreaking news, one of the hardest i've done.
The man-made lake near Arizona State University is a frequent site for recreation and events, with a half-Ironman race taking place in the lake on Sunday.
