A Georgia woman is facing serious charges after allegedly driving her car into a lake while drunk and climbing to safety, leaving her 3-year-old goddaughter trapped underwater. Authorities say the toddler nearly drowned but was miraculously revived by first responders.
Crash Into Dundee Lake
The crash happened on August 10 at Dundee Lake in Spalding County, about 40 miles south of Atlanta.
According to Georgia State Patrol, 23-year-old Nafeeza Samad was speeding in an Acura TL when she lost control in the lake’s parking lot. The car struck boulders used as traffic barriers, “vaulted” into the air, and crashed straight into the lake.
Samad allegedly climbed out of the car and stood on its roof, but her goddaughter, Hailey, was left strapped inside as the car sank.
Child Trapped Underwater
Bystanders pulled Samad off the car but could not save the child. Minutes later, a sheriff’s deputy and a fire lieutenant arrived and swam out to the submerged vehicle.
“They saw bubbles coming up,” Spalding County Fire Chief Mike Byrd told WSB-TV. The fire lieutenant used a window punch tool to break the glass, dove underwater, and pulled the child out while the deputy supported him.
When Hailey was brought to shore, she had no pulse and was not breathing. “She was in full cardiac arrest,” Byrd said. Emergency crews performed CPR and other life-saving measures until the girl’s pulse returned.
Toddler’s Critical Condition
Hailey was airlifted to a children’s hospital in Atlanta, where doctors confirmed she had suffered a severe brain injury from being underwater for nearly six minutes.
Her mother said on GoFundMe that Hailey cannot talk, eat, or care for herself, though she is breathing on her own. She has since been moved out of the ICU but will need long-term rehabilitation and medical care.
“This happened because of someone I trusted,” Hailey’s mother, Tamika Whitson, wrote. “Despite the devil’s attempt to take her from us, my baby is proving to be stronger than anyone could imagine.”
Godmother Facing Charges
Court records show Samad has been charged with DUI, child endangerment while driving under the influence, reckless driving, serious injury by vehicle, and child safety seat violations.
She was reportedly supposed to be taking Hailey to buy Pull-Ups at the time of the crash. The case is under investigation by Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.
What was meant to be a simple trip turned into a near-tragedy in Spalding County. While the 3-year-old girl continues to fight for her recovery, her godmother faces criminal charges for allegedly choosing alcohol over responsibility. The case is a stark reminder of how one reckless decision can change lives forever.
