Aurora man killed in Batavia Twp. crash

An Aurora man has died after his car struck a tree Friday morning in Batavia Township, authorities said.

Christopher Saumell, 27, was pronounced dead at Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora following the single-vehicle crash around 8:15 a.m. on Deerpath Road south of Mooseheart Road, according to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.

Saumell was driving a 2000 Jeep Cherokee north on Deerpath when his car went onto the east shoulder, and then drove back across Deerpath and struck a tree on the west side of the road, authorities said.

Saumell was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and no other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Deerpath was closed between Mooseheart and Tanner roads until about 10 a.m. during the cleanup and investigation of the crash.

Saumell was a 2005 Marmion Academy graduate, and had just bought his house with his wife in August, according to Daily Herald archives.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

Daily Herald staff writer Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report.