Cause Of Death Pending After Mother, 2 Children Found In Car In Lake

LAKELAND, FL — Lakeland police detectives are awaiting the Polk County Medical Examiner's report on the cause of death of a mother and two children found dead in a car submerged in Lake Wire Friday morning.

Around 5:25 a.m., officers arrived at Lake Wire after receiving a 911 call from a witness who saw the car drive into the lake. The Lakeland Fire Department's dive team was summoned to assist in searching and removing the car, which was located on the west side of the lake about 15 feet from the shore.

According to reports, as the fire department's dive team removed the vehicle from the water, they could see that the driver's side front window was rolled down and a woman was inside.

Once the vehicle was onshore, police found the bodies of two children inside the car as well.

Detectives said they believe the bodies are a 35-year-old mother and her two sons, ages 4 and 9. Their names are being withheld while next-of-kin notifications are made.

Preliminary information indicates that this was not a traffic crash, and there were no apparent signs of trauma on any of the those in the car, detectives said.

This is the second car submerged in the lake last week. On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, Clinton Bishop of Tampa was charged with reckless driving and assault on a law enforcement officer after driving into Lake Wire. Police said there was a small child in the vehicle with him.