Florida mother, 2 children found dead after minivan crashes into pond
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Florida authorities are investigating after a mother and her two children were found dead in their minivan on Sunday after it was found submerged in a pond.
The body of Shatoria Brown, 27, was found outside the vehicle, while the bodies of her two children — 3-year-old Ra'Layah Johnson and 5-year-old Ra'Majesty Johnson — were found inside.
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The crash occurred in Immokalee just before midnight Saturday night, Fox 4 reported, citing Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said that rather than stopping the car at the end of a street, Brown allegedly continued to drive until the van hit the water.
Ra’Layah was pronounced dead at a hospital, and Ra’Majesty was pronounced dead at the scene.
A woman named Michelle, identified by Fox 4 as Brown’s best friend, said that neighbors witnessed Brown running door to door, asking people for help but was unable to find anyone.
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Michelle said that’s when Brown ran back to the sinking vehicle to save her children herself.
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A number of residents in the Immokalee neighborhood told the Naples Daily News that they didn’t hear the car braking or tires squealing before Brown’s van hit the water.
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State highway patrol is investigating the incident.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.