Driver Dies After Car Goes into Ill. Lake

Nov. 8, 2013
Divers from the Chicago Fire Department located the vehicle and broke the vehicle's windows to reach the driver.

Nov. 08--A 64-year-old man died after the car he was driving plunged into Lake Michigan at Balbo Drive late Thursday night, officials said.

The car, which a witness said had been crossing the drive on Balbo before leaving the road, entered the water about 10:30 p.m., police said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the driver to continue east of the intersection, but police were investigating whether he had experienced a medical emergency, a police source said. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

Divers from the Chicago Fire Department quickly located the vehicle, which appeared to be a station wagon, and broke the vehicle's windows to reach the driver, Deputy District Chief Ron Dorneker said.

The man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. He was declared dead at 11:07 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Divers returned to the vehicle after locating the driver to search for additional occupants but found no one.

Kimberly Brown, who was in her own vehicle on Lake Shore Drive at the time, saw the car crossing the drive at Balbo, she said.

The driver stopped several times for northbound cars to pass and continued eastward instead of turning onto the drive, said Brown, who is 42.

Brown called 911 after the car disappeared from her sight down a set of steps by the water's edge, she said.

Check back for more information.

Tribune photographer Terrence Antonio James and Tribune reporter Adam Sege contributed to this report.

Copyright 2013 - Chicago Tribune

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