KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Kissimmee police announced Wednesday that a father drove into a pond in front of Valencia Community College on purpose.
An Osceola County couple and their two children were killed when their vehicle crashed into the pond on Dec. 23.
"We saw that there was no steering away from the pond. There was no breaking," said Stacie miller of the Kissimmee Police Department.
A medical examiner determined that the cause of death for Julie Lopez-Elias, Ulysses Montero and their two children, a 4-year-old and a 5-day-old, was drowning.
"When the vehicle was brought up, it was very shocking to everyone on scene that there were two children in the back," said Miller.
However, the manner of death for Ulysses Montero was listed as suicide, while Lopez-Elias’, and her two children, Julissa Montero and Delias Montero's, manner of death were listed as homicide.
Photos: Crews recover vehicle from pond in Kissimmee
Even though initial reports from witnesses and 911 calls described a struggle between the two front seat passengers the medical examiner didn't find any evidence to back that up.
"There was no bruising on the front seat passenger and the driver had no signs of a struggle," Miller said.
The medical examiner determined there was no evidence to indicate Ulysses Montero suffered a medical episode prior to the crash.
Through the course of the investigation, authorities said it was determined that Ulysses Montero had physical control of the vehicle before driving into the pond and that his actions were deliberate.
Investigators said a certified mechanic determined the car did not have mechanical deficiencies.
"The vehicle was looked over by a dual ASC certified mechanic who said there was no deficiency in vehicle prior to crash," said Miller.
Video evidence shows the car traveling from East Vine Street onto Valencia College property, without any other vehicles being involved in the incident.
The case is now closed. The victim's family was notified of the developments.
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