At approximately 1:59AM Saturday, July 19, the Naperville Police and Fire Department responded to the intersection of Aurora Ave. and Eagle for a vehicle crash which resulted in the vehicle driving into the Park District quarry.
The preliminary investigation indicates that 2007 Chevy Impala was westbound Aurora Ave. and left the roadway at Eagle Street crashing into several trees and landing in the quarry on the northwest corner of intersection. The driver of the Impala, Michael T. Szot, was able to escape from the vehicle and swim to safety. He was transported to Edward Hospital where he was treated and released. The two passengers of the vehicle were unable to escape from the vehicle and were subsequently located by Fire and Police Divers and transported to Edward Hospital where they were pronounced deceased.
The Naperville Fire Department, Naperville Police Department, Lisle-Woodridge Fire Department, Downers Grove Fire Department and Aurora Fire Department dive rescue teams responded and assisted in the recovery.
The Driver, Michael T. Szot, 21 years of age, of Geneva, Illinois was placed under arrest after his release from the hospital and charged with (4) Counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol causing the death of another (Class 2 Felony) and (2) counts of Reckless Homicide.
The deceased passengers were identified as Mihirtej Boddupalli, 21 years of age of Lisle, Illinois and Sajaad Safiullah Syed, 21 years of age of Naperville, Illinois.
Due to the nature of the crash, members of the Naperville Police Department’s Traffic Unit who are specially trained in accident reconstruction responded to the scene to investigate the accident. The accident remains under investigation at this time.
Anyone with information regarding the accident or the vehicle noted is asked to contact the Naperville Police Department’s Traffic Unit at (630) 305-5285.
The Naperville Police wish to remind the public and the news media that a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
