New York mom drives car into river, killing self and children

New York mom drives car into river, killing self and children

2011-04-14 04:15:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEWBURGH, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- A mother and her three young children were killed on Tuesday evening when she drove her car into the Hudson River in Newburgh, north of New York City, police said.

The Newburgh Police Department said the incident happened early in the evening when the 25-year-old mother, who was identified as LaShanda Armstrong, drove her minivan intentionally into the river. Four children were also in the vehicle.

One of the children, 10-year-old Lashaun Armstrong, managed to escape the vehicle which was completely submerged in the river. He was later driven to the Newburgh Fire Department by a passerby, where he told that his mother drove their car into the river.

Officials believe the vehicle would probably not have been found for at least a while if Lashaun had not escaped. But his mother, along with 5-year-old Landon Pierce, 2-year-old Lance Pierce and 11-months-old Lainaina Pierce, were all killed.

The reason for the murder-suicide, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of New York City, was not immediately known. But one of the mother's relatives had earlier on Tuesday alerted police about a domestic dispute at Armstrong's home.

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