Search crews on Friday found the body of a 2-year-old girl who fell at least 40 feet from a highway bridge after flying from an SUV during a crash.
The body of Jatima Greene was found about 20 feet from where she was last seen Wednesday night in the Grand Calumet River, state police said. Jatima fell into the river as the SUV driven by her mother struck a retaining wall on a ramp and flipped over.
About 20 people resumed the search by boat and from helicopters for the toddler’s body Friday morning after crews worked throughout the day Thursday in an unsuccessful search, Fire Chief Mark Everett said.
Rescuers said Thursday there was little chance they would find the girl alive after divers looked for her near railroad track abutments in the heavily industrialized area where the water was coated with moss, algae and debris.
Passengers in the car said the girl was wearing a seat belt, but investigators found no child seats in the vehicle.
Family members said those in the SUV were returning home to Gary from a birthday party in Chicago when the crash happened. Police were investigating reports that the SUV went out of control after it was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer.