One Dead After Car Rolls Into Lake in Kane County

Photo credit: Forest Preserve District of Kane County Photo caption: Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora

One man is dead after he became trapped in a car that rolled into Lake Patterson at the Oakhurst Forest Preserve Thursday morning.

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is investigating the incident, which took place shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday at the forest preserve, which is located at 1680 Fifth Ave. in Aurora. Two Aurora men, one 18 and the other 20 years old, were inside the vehicle when they reportedly drove down near the water to watch the waves, according to a forest preserve press release.

Forest preserve district officials said the two thought the car was in park when it rolled into the water. The driver was able to exit the car before it became submerged but the passenger was not able to escape. The driver flagged down a motorist who then called 911.

Divers were in the water by 8:16 and found the victim shortly after. The man was taken to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora where he was later pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle was also transported but his condition was not immediately available.

The vehicle has been removed from Lake Patterson. Work is being done to clean-up the oil and other chemicals in the lake as a result of the accident. The forest preserve remains open to the public.

The incident remains under investigation.