Authorities think N.D. students drove straight into pond

Authorities say the three Dickinson State softball players found dead after their vehicle went into a farm pond probably drove straight into the water in the dark.

Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said today that the women's SUV was found resting on its wheels in about 10 feet of water hidden by tall grass, with the doors and windows closed.

Tuhy says, "When you're not familiar with an area like that, it would have been very easy to drive into."

No foul play is the deaths of 22-year-old Kyrstin Gemar of San Diego, 20-year-old Afton Williamson of Lake Elsinore, California and 21-year-old Ashley Neufeld of Brandon, Manitoba. The bodies of the women and Neufeld's dog were found inside the SUV yesterday.

Authorities said signals from their last desperate phone calls late Sunday helped lead authorities to the farm, which is on private property.

Autopsies are planned but authorities don't expect the results for a week or two.

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