Niles Police Rule Two Women’s Deaths Accidental

Niles police ruled the deaths of South Bend women Vanessa Bautista, 24, and Alexandra Navarro-Torres, 23, accidental drownings after their Jeep left the road and entered the St. Joseph River. Investigators found no evidence that another person followed, chased or forced the vehicle off the roadway. Vehicle data showed the Jeep was traveling about 47 mph in a 25 mph zone, went over an embankment and had no braking recorded before leaving the road. Toxicology tests found both women had blood alcohol levels above the legal limit; Bautista also had marijuana in her system. Police reviewed surveillance, phone and vehicle data, with FBI assistance, as part of the investigation.