Troopers: Charges pending after baby dies following car crash into Knightdale pond

A baby was pulled from a car submerged in a Knightdale pond Wednesday night.

Posted 1:52 a.m. Mar 1, 2018 — Updated 3:14 p.m. Mar 1, 2018

Candace Sweat

, WRAL reporter

KNIGHTDALE, N.C. — Charges are pending against a mother of a 6-month-old Thursday after the infant died following a vehicle crash into a Knightdale pond, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Authorities said a mother and 6-month-old baby were driving south on Forestville Road in a 2003 Infinity at a "high rate of speed" when the mother, identified as Alyssa Maria Mattson, 19, tried to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone. Mattson lost control of the car, skidded off the road and crashed into a pond.

Troopers said Mattson was able to get out of the car and swim to safety. The child, Princeton Marcus Mattson, was in a baby seat and was submerged underwater.

The child was taken to WakeMed but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Authorities said eight Knightdale firefighters were treated for hypothermia after entering the water in an attempt to rescue the mother and child.

Crews from Wake County and a dive team from Apex also responded to the scene.

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