SUV goes into DuPage River in Plainfield Township
By Brian Stanley bstanley@stmedianetwork.com February 2, 2012 7:42AM
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Updated: March 4, 2012 8:11AM
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP — A 16-year-old girl drove into the DuPage River after missing a curve in the road Thursday morning.
The accident happened around 6:50 a.m. as the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer was heading north on South River Road.
Will County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said foggy conditions caused the driver to go off the road on her way to Plainfield Central High School. The vehicle still was running with the lights on when it came to a stop in water approximately 2.5 feet deep.
“The car probably traveled about 50 feet into the middle of the river,” Assistant Fire Chief Jon Stratton said.
“The girl was able to retrieve her cell phone, open the driver’s door and climb onto the roof of the car,” Hoffmeyer said.
Firefighter Pat Murphy used a tether to reach the girl and carry her to shore. Firefighters later hooked up a line to pull the Trailblazer out with a tow truck.
The minor was taken to Edward Hospital in Naperville for a required precautionary examination, but did not appear to be injured, reports said.
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