WHAT THE HELL?

(CNN) -- Five children drowned in a Houston, Texas, bayou Saturday after the car they were riding in veered off the road, police said.

An adult passenger told police the driver -- the father of four of the victims -- was distracted by a cell phone call that he answered, Houston police Officer John Cannon told CNN. The Lincoln Towncar went down an embankment and into the Green Bayou, he said.

The driver, who was not immediately identified, got out of the car. The adult passenger, who police said was the driver's brother, also escaped and rescued a 10-year-old girl from the vehicle, Cannon said.

The five children killed in the accident were identified as two girls, ages 1 and 3, and three boys, ages 4, 6 and 7.

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Cannon said the driver failed a field sobriety test and was taken to police headquarters for a mandatory blood sample. Criminal charges could be filed against the driver depending on the outcome of the blood sample.

The car was found in 9½ feet of water after a two-hour search. Police say the current in the waterway was so swift that divers could only touch the car but could not open the doors.