Aurora man charged with DUI after friend dies in lake

An Aurora man has been charged with DUI after an SUV he was driving rolled into Lake Patterson on Thursday morning, killing his passenger.

Firefighters were called just after 8 a.m. to a boat ramp in the Oakhurst Forest Preserve off Fifth Avenue on Aurora's east side, Batallion Chief Tim Warren said.

Jesus Favela, 18, told police with the Kane County Forest Preserve District that he drove near the water to look at the lake with his friend Rafael Eulogio, 20, also of Aurora. Favela thought his Ford Explorer was in park when it rolled into the lake, police said.

Favela was able to escape the sinking vehicle, while Eulogio did not, police said.

"(The survivor) got out and went to a residence down Fifth Avenue to let us know that the vehicle was in the water and that his friend didn't make it out," Warren said.

The vehicle was believed to have been underwater for about 30 minutes when divers entered the lake at 8:16 a.m., officials said. Eulogio was removed two minutes later and taken to Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, where he was pronounced dead.

Favela was also taken to Rush Copley before being charged with driving under the influence. He's being held in the Kane County jail awaiting bond. Forest preserve police continue to investigate.