Driver Crashes into DuPage River in Channahon After Swerving to Miss Boulders

CHANNAHON, IL — An 18-year-old Joliet woman crashed her car into the DuPage River Wednesday after she thought she saw boulders in the road and swerved to avoid them.

Emily E. Scott was traveling southbound near Shepley Rd. in Channahon at around 11:10 a.m. when she thought she saw the boulders and crashed into the river.

A passing motorist called the accident in. Scott was able to get out of the vehicle by opening the driver’s side door. She climbed onto the car’s roof until help arrived. The water levels of the river were only waist deep, according to Channahon Police Chief Jeff Wold.

According to Channahon Police Officer Jeff Blough, Scott does not know how to swim, so the Channahon Fire Department used a ladder, secured it through a back passenger window, and sent a firefighter trained in water rescue to retrieve her. Channahon police assisted by getting a life jacket and a rope bag to her in case she fell off the car during the rescue.

Scott was cited for no valid driver’s license, no insurance, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper display of registration.