PORT HURON (WWJ) -- The Port Huron Police Department have launched a criminal investigation after a car with children inside drove into the Black River and ultimately led to a woman's death.
Police and fire responded to the scene at 10th Street near Glenwood Avenue in Port Huron just before 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Corey Michelle Pratto, 26, was driving the car with her 26-year-old boyfriend in the passenger seat and three children -- ages 3, 5 and 7 -- in the back when it went through a parking lot and into the water.
The boyfriend, who was in the front seat, said he jumped out of the car before it hit the water because he was unable to swim, according to authorities.
He told police that Pratto was having trouble with the brakes before the crash so he tried to put the gear shift into park, but was unsuccessful.
According to police, the woman and the children were all rescued by divers from Port Huron's Fire Department on Tuesday and taken to the hospital.
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All three of her children were flown out of local hospitals and are currently in critical condition with family members at their side. University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor is treating the six year old and the three-year-old girls and Children’s Hospital in Detroit is treating the five-year-old boy.
Pratto passed away Wednesday at McLaren Port Huron Hospital, said police.
Pratto's autopsy report is pending.
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Detectives are trying to find out if it was an intentional act or an accident.
Anyone has information about this incident is urged to call the Port Huron Police Department at 810-984-8415 or CAPTURE at 810-987-6688. Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and the message/tip to 847411.