28-Year-Old Dad Dead, 2 Young Children Hospitalized After Their Car Crashes into ‘Frigid’ Indiana Pond
- - 28-Year-Old Dad Dead, 2 Young Children Hospitalized After Their Car Crashes into ‘Frigid’ Indiana Pond
Kimberlee SpeakmanJanuary 14, 2026 at 8:31 AM
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Indianapolis Fire Department/X
IMPD officers observing the car being lifted out of the lake -
A car carrying a man and his two children plunged into an Indiana pond on Tuesday, Jan. 13
Indianapolis Fire Department and police helped rescue the family, and the father and his child were given CPR on the scene
The father was pronounced dead while his two children were transported to a nearby hospital, where they received medical care and were listed in stable condition
A man died and his two young children were hospitalized after their car plunged into a pond.
The incident happened at around midnight on Tuesday, Jan. 13, after a car went into a "body of water” at 4000 Pendleton Way in Indianapolis, and it submerged,” according to a social media post on X from the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD).
Firefighters with the IFD, along with police officers with the city of Lawrence, entered the “frigid water” and pulled out the occupants of the vehicle: an adult male and two children, per the post. Once they were pulled out, firefighters initiated CPR on the adult and one of the children.
"While the adult male did not survive, the two children are listed in stable condition all thanks to the officer's heroic actions and quick thinking," the IFD wrote on X.
Indianapolis Fire Department/X
A large towing truck could be seen pulling up the vehicle in the water
The IFD noted that it was unclear “why the man's car entered the pond” and “that information will be part of the ongoing Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) investigation.” Divers conducted a follow-up search of the area around the car and hooked the vehicle for a towing company to remove it.
Indianapolis Fire Department/X
A photo of divers in the area of the pond
"We don't know all the fact and circumstances,” IMPD officer Tommy Thompson told WTHR. “We'll work to try and gather as much as we can but they need you. They need your prayers, they need your thoughts. Reach out, be there for these little children. They're going to need you."
Photos from the incident showed firefighters and police on the scene as they worked to get the vehicle out of the lake with a large grappling hook. The black car appeared to be severely damaged.
IFD told WTHR that the coroner’s officer identified the adult male who was driving the car and died as 28-year-old Dechon Sims. The IFD also told the outlet that one of his children was believed to be in cardiac arrest when officers initiated CPR.
His family described him to WTHR as a good father, son, brother and nephew and believed that the crash was an accident.
Indianapolis Fire Department/X
IMPD, City of Lawrence Police Officers and firefighters on the scene
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Three IMPD officers who also aided in the rescue were transported to a nearby hospital to be checked out after submerging themselves in the freezing waters, per WTHR. The IFD said on X that they were in "good condition."
The IMPD praised the officers on X, writing, “No hesitation. No second thoughts. These incredibly brave men and women put their own safety aside, and their selfless actions saved two young lives.”
“Our hearts are with everyone impacted, and we are incredibly proud of our officers and our partners who stood together when it mattered most,” the IMPD added.
on People
Source: “AOL General News”
