5-Year-Old Girl and Her Grandfather Die After Their Rugged Off-Road Vehicle Falls Through Icy Pond: ‘Devastating’

A 5-year-old girl and her 50-year-old grandfather died after their vehicle broke through the ice on a private pond in Michigan, authorities said.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called around 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, after reports that two people had “fell through the ice on a pond” while riding a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) along Clinton Road in Westphalia Township.

“Initial investigation revealed that a UTV occupied by two Portland area individuals broke through the ice on a private pond,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook news release.

Officials said both victims were pulled from the water and taken to a local hospital, where they later died from their injuries.

The victims were identified as Ronnie Miles and her grandfather, Eric Miles, according to a GoFundMe set up for the family.

“On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Mason and Grace Daugherty got the devastating news that their sweet 5-year-old Ronnie Miles had passed from a tragic accident,” organizer Madison Bastien wrote. “If that wasn’t hard enough, Grace’s dad also tragically passed in the accident.”

Bastien said Ronnie had two brothers and shared a close bond with her grandfather. She added that the family is now grieving both losses while also facing funeral expenses.

The fundraiser has received more than $34,000 toward a $35,000 goal, according to the GoFundMe page.

The sheriff’s office said multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Westphalia Township Fire Department, Portland Fire and Police Department, Clinton County and Capital Area dive teams, and Clinton County Central Dispatch. The investigation remains ongoing.

Separately, the South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) warned on Facebook that ice conditions in the region can be “very dangerous,” citing another recent incident involving a person who fell into the lake near South Beach snow shelves but was able to get out without help.

“The Lake Michigan shoreline snow shelves and ice-covered piers are beautiful and inviting. And very dangerous!” the agency wrote.