Port Huron woman who died after car crashed into Black River described as loving mother

Port Huron Times Herald

Port Huron police redirects traffic near Glenwood Avenue and the 10th Street Bridge after an occupied vehicle entered the Black River nearby on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021.

A loved one of a woman who died after her vehicle went into the Black River said the woman was a loving, caring mother and sister.

Corey Michelle Pratto, a 26-year-old Port Huron woman, died at McLaren Port Huron after her car entered the Black River with herself and her three children trapped inside.

Coleen Albert, sister to the biological father of two of Pratto's children, said Pratto enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. She liked to spend time with her children, friends and two sisters who live nearby.

"She was a stay-at-home mom that did anything for her kids," Albert said.

Pratto's elder and youngest children are being treated at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, while the 5-year-old is at Children's Hospital in Detroit.

Pratto's three children, aged 3, 5 and 6, were in critical condition Thursday. Albert said the children's condition seemed to be improving.

Albert set up a gofundme to assist the children with medical bills and as they move into new homes with their respective biological fathers. As of Friday, the fund had raised $4,155 of its $20,000 goal.

Another gofundme to assist with Pratto's funeral bills was set up by Pratto's aunt. As of Friday, the fund had raised $2,420 of its $10,000 goal.

More details on the incident

Emergency crews responded to the parking lot west of 10th Street, off of Glenwood Avenue at about 4 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a car driving through a parking lot and entering the Black River.

Pratto and her children were rescued by the Port Huron Fire Department's rapid divers. The St. Clair County Dive Team also responded and assisted with the third and fourth extrications.

A woman and three children were hospitalized after a vehicle they were in became submerged in the Black River on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, just west of the 10th Street Bridge.

A 26-year-old male passenger, who is reported to be Pratto's boyfriend, told police Pratto was having trouble with the brakes prior to the crash and was unable to stop the vehicle. He tried to put the gear shift into park, but was unsuccessful, according to the Port Huron Police Department.

He jumped out of the moving vehicle prior to it entering the water, police said.

Port Huron Police Assistant Chief Marcy Kuehn said Thursday it is still unknown why the car entered the water.

Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or lfitzgeral@gannett.com.