Driver Loses Consciousness, Crashes into Aurora Retention Pond

AURORA, IL — A 37-year-old Aurora man lost consciousness at the wheel Tuesday evening and crashed into a retention pond.

The man was driving a 2016 Kia Soul southbound on Eola at around 6:30 p.m. when he apparently lost consciousness, according to Aurora police spokesman Dan Ferrelli. His vehicle then went over the median, crossing both northbound traffic lanes on Eola, over the curb on the east side of the street, off the roadway and then went airborne before landing in a retention pond in the area of Eola and Barrington Drive West.

The man was able to get out of the car and swim to safety with the help of an anonymous male bystander. His vehicle was completely submerged and totaled, Ferrelli said.

He was taken to an Aurora hospital as a precaution and ticketed for a median violation, improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed and operating uninsured motor vehicle.

photo via Shutterstock