MARIETTA, Ga. — A 3-year-old has died after a car plunged into a lake at a Marietta apartment complex, a Cobb County police spokesman has confirmed to Channel 2 Action News.
The incident happened in the 2000 block of Roswell Road at the Jefferson Lakeside Apartments at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Investigators said the driver of a white 2010 Dodge Caliber was driving southbound on Eastlake Parkway when he drove across the opposite lane of travel, down the embankment and into the apartment complex lake.
"I heard a bang down the street here, and I turned and looked and I see a car, a white car flying through the air toward the lake. The first thing I said was, 'oh, you know what', and I took off running as fast as I could to get to that car," said witness Richard Parish.
Parish said he was able to get both the male driver and his front seat male passenger out of the car before it totally submerged but then he noticed the child trapped in the back.
"He floated somewhere else and I couldn't get to him. I was trying to get to the poor child but I couldn't get to him," said a man who tried to rescue the child.
The child, identified as 3-year-old Imhamad Alan Allan, was taken by ambulance to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, but later died.
Samiha Allan said her cousin, Imhamad, didn't know how to hold his breath.
"It was too late for him, he doesn't know how to hold his breath. He had no idea what was going on. He was screaming and crying," said Allan.
His father, 37-year-old Allan Allan, of Marietta, was in the passenger seat, but Samiha said he couldn't swim.
The driver of the car was identified as 31-year-old Mohoumaed Allan of Marietta, the child's uncle. The two men were sent to WellStar Kennestone Hospital to be checked out for injuries.
"I never realized this could happen to us, you never realize it, realize somebody you love, how much you love them until they're gone," said Samhia.
Mohoumaed Allan said he wishes there was something to prevent people from going into the lake.
"There is nothing to prevent people from going into the lake. Even if they're going 25 miles an hour. Let's say, if the car has bad alignment, it will go toward your left and all of a sudden you end up in the lake," he said.
Cobb County police told Channel 2 Action News that it is up to the property to decide whether a fence is necessary. But they said it is not required.
No charges have been filed in this crash.