Mother, 3 children dead after she drives van into river, police say
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 13, 2011 12:01 p.m. EDT
Mom, kids dead after car goes into river
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Police divers discovered 4 bodies
The dead include an 11-month-old girl, a 2-year-old boy, a 5-year-old boy and a 25 year-old woman
An investigation into the incident suggests the mother intentionally drove the van into the water
The mother and three children are found dead after their van runs into the Hudson River
New York (CNN) -- A 10-year-old boy escaped out of the window of a sinking minivan after his mother drove it with her three other children into the Hudson River, some 60 miles north of New York City, authorities said.
Lashawn Armstrong swam to shore Tuesday night and was picked up by a passer-by and brought to a nearby fire station in Newburgh, New York, said Fire Chief Michael Vatter.
Soaking wet and suffering from a mild case of hypothermia, Armstrong then told fire officials his mother had driven the vehicle into the river.
Police divers later discovered the bodies of Lashandra Armstrong, 25, an 11-month-old girl, a 2-year-old boy and a 5-year-old boy some 25 yards off shore.
A police investigation into the incident suggests that the mother intentionally drove the vehicle into the water, according to Newburgh
Prior to the incident, a relative called police reporting a "domestic disturbance," Ferrara said.
Emergency responders said they could hear "tussling" in the background, according to Ferrara.
An autopsy on the four bodies is scheduled for Wednesday.
Newburgh Mayor Nicholas Valentine said the incident is certain to have "a lasting effect on this city."