Bloomington North student found dead in car submerged in quarry pond

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Seventeen-year-old Bloomington North high school student Ayana Addisu was found dead this past weekend in the car she was driving, which went into a stone quarry pond .

Late Sunday morning, someone reported a car partially submerged in the water-filled quarry on the city's northside, which is surrounded by large limestone blocks to keep vehicles from entering the water. Monroe County Dive Team members found Addisu dead in the driver's seat of a Nissan Leaf hatchback.

It appears the car was traveling on Stonelake Circle and proceeded straight instead of turning left or right at the T-intersection with Stonelake Drive. The Nissan may have continued across the street and sidewalk before coming to rest in the water-filled stone quarry.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has not yet finished or released a report on the incident, which is still being investigated. There was an accident reconstructionist at the scene Sunday afternoon.

Monroe County Coroner Joani Stalcup said Wednesday morning the cause of the girl's death hasn't been determined. She said investigators believe she died by suicide.

Bloomington North students and parents were informed of the 17-year-old's death in a message from Principal Matthew Stark. "It is with a heavy heart that Bloomington High School North mourns the loss of Ayana Addisu from a car accident. Our hearts and thoughts are with her family and friends as we navigate the grief of this tragic loss."

The school observed a moment of silence in her honor on Aug. 12. Counseling was offered for students. "Please take care of those around you and do not hesitate to reach out," Stark's message said.

The crash happened in the 2500 block of North Stonelake Drive. A wooden boardwalk with a gate leads to a gazebo at the edge of the landscaped, water-filled quarry hole, which is adjacent to a condominium community.

Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington North student found dead in car submerged in quarry pond