Joliet Man Dies After Car Plunges Into New Lenox Pond

NEW LENOX, IL - The New Lenox Police Department said that a 49-year-old man who was staying at a local motel died late Monday night after crashing his car into the pond near the Village Commons area. The Will County Coroner's office identified him as Andrew R. Jurvich of Joliet.

An officer in the area saw Jurvich's Honda Accord drive into the water at 8:49 p.m. and then the officer ran tried to save him. However, the car was already submerged by the time the officer and a few other New Lenox Police officers tried to get him out.

The New Lenox Fire Protection District also responded to the emergency.

"Upon arrival, the crews found New Lenox Police officers in the pond attempting to rescue a person from a submerged vehicle," the press release states.

The battalion chief called out the MABAS 19 Dive Team response.

"Upon arrival of the first dive team member, the diver entered the water and quickly removed the victim from the water. The victim was transported to a local hospital in serious condition. Four police officers were also treated for minor injuries," the press release states.

Alessandrini said Jurvich was taken to Silver Cross Hospital and he was pronounced dead around 10 p.m. Four police officers were also treated at St. Joe's and Silver Cross for minor injuries. One suffered several cuts and lacerations during the rescue attempt. The others had been in the cold and frigid waters for quite an extended time, the deputy chief of police told Patch.

Alessandrini said the three officers and one community service officer also acted heroically by rushing into the water trying to free the man who was trapped in the submerged car. The man was staying at the Walona Motel, 700 East Lincoln Highway, police said.

"It was a traumatic event, very stressful, unfortunately, when they got to the scene, the nose of the car was already submerged in the water," he said.

An autopsy is set for later Tuesday, he said.

At this point, it's unclear whether the man deliberately drove his car into the pond or whether he may have been distracted or confused, Alessandrini said.

"I can't really speculate at this time," he added.

File image via New Lenox Fire Protection District