Man dies after car is found submerged in creek in Morris, Illinois

Divers pulled a man from the water after a car was found submerged in a creek in Morris, Illinois, southwest of Chicago late Saturday.

The man later died.

Morris police said they received a call around 11:30 p.m. Saturday about a car in the water with people possibly inside. The scene was along Ottawa Bend Drive at the west branch of Nettle Creek.

Authorities believe Sean Michael Rentauskas, 21, of Coal City, was headed east on Old Stage Road and approaching the curve at the entrance of Gebhart Woods, when he failed to negotiate the curve and his car went into the creek.

The Joliet Fire Department dive team was spotted at the scene. Video showed almost a dozen crewmembers approaching the car in the water at one point.

Police said crews eventually removed Rentauskas, who was the sole occupant from the car.

Police dispatch audio indicated that first responders requested a helicopter after the rescue.

A few witnesses said they heard a crash, and saw a large response from law enforcement when they came outside.

"I was laying in bed, I had my window open, and it just sounded like lightning struck, and I checked outside to see if it was raining. There was nothing going on," said Sarah Tatum, who heard the crash. "So that's all I can say. It just was really loud, and I heard all the cracking of the trees."

The Grundy County Coroner's office confirmed Rentauskas later died.

Morris is about 50 miles southwest of Chicago.