Body of hit-and-run driver found in Aurora pond, police say

The body of a 59-year-old Aurora man was recovered from a retention pond in Aurora Tuesday night after his car plunged into the water, police said.

The search and recovery operation by a dive team comes after the driver was believed to have been involved in three hit-and-run crashes before his car entered the water earlier Tuesday afternoon, according to an Aurora Police Department news release.

Police say their preliminary investigation shows the driver struck three other vehicles at 4:17 p.m. near Montgomery Road and Tara Belle Parkway, then fled west on Montgomery. The vehicle was last seen traveling south on Normantown Road, where it was reported at 4:35 p.m. to have gone into the large pond at the intersection with Tara Belle Parkway, located near homes and an industrial park.

Two hours later, the Aurora Fire Department's dive team recovered the man's body about 35 yards offshore. No other victims were located in the water, police said. Divers removed the vehicle from the pond.

The driver of one of the three vehicles struck during the hit-and-run crashes was treated for minor injuries.

Police are withholding the man's name until notifying next of kin.

Authorities said Tuesday night they were still trying to determine a cause of the crash but expected to release more information Wednesday.

The Aurora police and fire departments, the Naperville Fire Department and DuPage County coroner's office assisted in the response and investigation.