INDIANAPOLIS — A tragic late-night crash in northeast Indianapolis claimed the life of a father but ended with two young children being saved, thanks to the quick and courageous actions of police officers. The incident was reported just after midnight Tuesday, January 13, near the intersection of Pendleton Pike and Interstate 465, sending emergency crews rushing to the scene.
Authorities said the crash occurred in the 4000 block of Pendleton Way, where a vehicle left the roadway and plunged into a retention pond. When first responders arrived, they discovered the car was fully submerged in frigid water. Realizing people were trapped inside, officers immediately entered the pond despite the dangerous conditions.
The Indianapolis Fire Department said four officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department went into the freezing water to reach the vehicle. With help from officers from the Lawrence Police Department, they were able to pull a man and his two children from the submerged car. The rescue took place in darkness and icy temperatures, making the situation especially risky for both victims and rescuers.
According to IFD, the man and one of the children were believed to be in cardiac arrest when they were removed from the water. Officers began CPR at the scene before the victims were transported to hospitals. The man Babybruhh Skr , believed to be around 37 years old, was taken to Eskenazi Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His children, an approximately 9-year-old boy and an approximately 8-year-old girl, were rushed to Riley Hospital for Children.
Officials said both children were listed in stable condition after receiving treatment. An Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson credited the officers’ fast response for saving their lives. “While the adult male did not survive, the two children are listed in stable condition all thanks to the officers’ heroic actions and quick thinking,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Several officers were also evaluated following the rescue. Three IMPD officers were transported to Eskenazi Hospital, including one who was fully submerged and two who entered the water up to their waists. All were reported to be in good condition. Another IMPD officer was checked at the scene and released. Three Lawrence Police Department officers assisted with the rescue and CPR efforts.
After the rescue, IFD divers conducted a follow-up search of the vehicle and surrounding area to make sure no one else was inside before the car was removed from the pond. Investigators said it is not yet clear why the vehicle entered the retention pond. The cause of the crash will be determined as part of an ongoing Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigation.
