Council Bluffs Police say two teenagers died after their car plunged into Lake Manawa early Friday morning. Emergency crews responded to a report of a vehicle in the water with someone possibly inside around 6:15 a.m.
The area is near Pelican Drive and Shore Lake. The vehicle was pulled from the water around 7:15 and that's when authorities discovered the bodies. The driver is identified as eighteen year old Efren Lemus. The passenger is seventeen year old Christian Renteria-Perez. Both teens were students at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs.
Evidence markers on scene outline the path from the road to the water. Police say the skid marks on the pavement indicate that speed might have been a factor. Investigators are also looking in to alcohol as a factor in the crash as well.
The Council Bluffs School District issued the following statement Friday morning:
The Council Bluffs Community School District is grieving the death of two students today following a tragic accident. Christian Renteria Perez was a student at Abraham Lincoln High School, and Efren Lemus Lara was a student at Abraham Lincoln High School, attending Kanesville Alternative Learning Center. This is shocking and heart-breaking for their families, friends and our entire school community. Counselors are providing support to our students in need during this sad time. We will keep their families in our hearts and prayers.