Family says deaths of father, daughter in Fairfield pond are ‘devastating’

A Forest Park man killed after his truck crashed into a Fairfield pond on Monday night is being remembered as “a good guy” who loved to spend quality time with his kids.

Morance D. Harrison Sr., 35, and his daughter, Nena Harrison, 6, died after Harrison Sr. crashed his red pickup truck into a pond Monday evening at the Villages of Wildwood off Ross Road in Fairfield. Also in the truck was his son, 4-year-old Morance Harrison Jr., who survived the crash.

 

Police said Harrison Sr. was seen driving his pickup truck around the grass and pond in the late afternoon at the Fairfield apartment complex and “doing donuts.” Police dispatched an officer to the area after a 911 call, but did not find the truck, described as a red dual cab Ford.

About 90 minutes after that call, a child called 911 after the truck was sinking in the pond. The child said Morance Sr. brought his son to the surface and then went back under to get his daughter.

“She always wanted to be with them,” said Rufus Harrison, Morance Harrison’s grandfather, who added that Nena Harrison was a daddy’s girl.

He said Morance Harrison took his kids to the park and local school to play basketball.

Rufus Harrison said “it’s been devastating” since Monday night’s incident as the family is working on two funerals. Services are being handled by Thompson, Hall & Jordan.

Rufus Harrison said Harrison Jr. is doing well, and is with his mother in Forest Park.

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