Baby pulled from submerged SUV dies at hospital
The infant pulled from an SUV that crashed through the ice on Lake Minnetonka last week died early Monday morning, WCCO reports.
According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, 8-month-old Tabitha Markle of Minnetrista passed away at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis at 2:31 a.m. The drowning was ruled accidental.
Last Friday, 41-year-old Jonathan Markle was driving home with his wife, 31-year-old Amanda, and their two daughters, 2-year-old Isabelle and baby Tabitha.
Jonathan Markle took a shortcut in the channel between Priest and Halstead bays when the SUV went through the ice.
Tabitha, who was strapped in a car seat, was underwater for about 15 minutes before first responders were able to rescue her.
All other family members were treated at a local hospital and released.
Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said Saturday that there were indications the driver had been drinking, but definitive blood-alcohol-level test results are pending.
