After a mother took a wrong turn and drove into a lake, people are wondering why there isn't something to stop cars from dring into the lake. The accident took the lives of three boys. The number one question in this tragedy is why isn't there something to stop cars from driving into the lake.
"They can't be replaced, but if there were barriers, they'd be with us today,” says Larry Hopkins, the victims’ uncle.
Instead, Larry Hopkins the Second is putting up a memorial where his three nephews, eight year old Aaron, seven year old Alex, and two year old Anthony, drowned.
"Something’s got to be done about signs and barriers to keep people from driving into that lake,” says Hopkins.
FOX16 went to Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart to get answers about who owns the gate.
"This is basically where Johnny Walker Road terminates. So who's responsible for the rest of the road? Well, Ma'am basically if you look at the sign right here that has the warning that has the warning notice. It says Conway Corporation, that's basically who has the responsibility. So it's the city of Conway?Yes Ma'am,” says Judge Hart.
The only warning this sign gives is no camping and no swimming. Right now, Conway's mayor said he doesn't want to comment until he sees the full report from investigators. Conway County sheriff's deputies also say there have been at least two other accidents involving cars driving into the lake in the past two years.
"You know this isn't the first incident that's happened there. Why does it take three boys dying to finally get something about it,” says Hopkins.
“It's tragic what happened, everyone's sick about it, there obviously needs to be attention paid to that,” said Judge Hart. “We're going to look at it, possibly to put signage up here. And I'm going say this again, what you're looking at is a gate and that gate belongs to the county."
"I pray to God they do something to prevent it from happening to somebody else. To prevent them from having to go through what we are dealing with here," said Hopkins.
Police say alcohol wasn't involved in this deadly crash. The mother is not facing any charges at this time. The bodies of the three boys are at the crime lab right now. The autopsies showed no signs of foul play.
Graveside services are set for 2pm Thursday, April 23rd at Middleton cemetery in Birdtown. Visitation is from 6-8 Wednesday night. You can leave the family a condolence by
clicking here. Once you are on the page, just click on Aaron, Alex, Anthony Turley.
