Wheaton hero in right place at right time

It was just after midnight, in the early moments of Thursday morning, and Anson Yeganegi should have been home already.

For some reason, the 22-year-old Wheaton man was taking a different route home from work - a decision that took him past a pond at Prairie and Gary avenues and the 2008 Bentley convertible that had plunged into the water moments earlier.

At first, Yeganegi didn't know what to think when he saw the glowing taillights of the partially submerged car.

But when he turned his car around to investigate, he continued a chain of events that culminated with him saving a 25-year-old motorist's life.

"I am just glad that for some reason I went home the way I did," Yeganegi said Friday. "I was at the right place at the right time."

Police say the driver of the Bentley dropped a lit cigarette in the car and was trying to pick it up when he drove off the road and into the water.

When Yeganegi arrived, the front half of the car was submerged at least 20 feet from the shoreline. The driver - who was able to get out of the car because the top was down - was trying to sit still on the trunk, which was poking above the water's surface.

At first, the car wasn't moving and the driver appeared safe.

"It seemed like he was just stuck," Yeganegi said.

But when Yeganegi was on the phone with a 911 operator, the car started to sink and the driver started panicking.

Following Yeganegi's advice, the driver jumped off the trunk before the car completely sunk.

It was at that point that Yeganegi feared the man might drown.

"He couldn't swim - either he was hurt or in shock or something," Yeganegi said. "Something wasn't right and he wasn't staying above water. So I went in after him."

Ignoring the cold water temperature, a suit-clad Yeganegi swam to the driver. Once he got hold of the motorist, Yeganegi swam back to the shore while keeping the man's head above water.

"People keep asking how I swam so far with him tied around me," he said. "I have no idea."

In the end, no one was injured. And Wheaton police and fire officials are calling Yeganegi a hero. They are recommending the 2005 graduate of Wheaton North High School be given an award.

Yeganegi said he's not looking for recognition.

"I am happy enough in myself to know that in a situation like that I was able to do what I could to help," he said.

As for the person he saved, Yeganegi never got the chance to talk to him and doesn't even know his identity.

"I kind of wish I knew a little bit more about him," Yeganegi said. "I just hope he's doing OK."

Police, who have declined to name the motorist, said the investigation into the accident is continuing and no citations had been issued as of Friday.