Round Lake Beach Man Killed In Retention Pond Crash Identified

LIBERTYVILLE, IL – The Lake County Coroner's Office has identified the man who died after driving his car into a retention bond in Libertyville on Monday as Abner Abdiel Melgar-Barrientos, 36, of Round Lake Beach. Preliminary autopsy results show Melgar-Barrientos died as a result of drowning, Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said in a news release Tuesday. Cooper added that it appears a medical event lead to Melgar-Barrientos driving his car off the road at Route 45 and Northwind Boulevard and into the pond.

Rescue personnel worked to remove the driver from the vehicle. Firefighters attempted to put a lifejacket on the driver and pull him out of the vehicle, according to ABC Chicago, and a diver went in to try to rescue the man after the car began to sink. At one point, authorities said the vehicle's trunk opened, causing the car to sink even faster.

Local fire personnel were able to get the man out and immediately began administering medical care. He was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where he was later pronounced dead, according to police.

• Man Dies After Car Goes Into Libertyville Retention Pond
  

Toxicology results are pending and the drowning remains under investigation, authorities said.

A view of the pond via Google Maps Streetview:

Photo via Shutterstock