One dead after submerged vehicle incident

TOWANDA – A 60-year-old Bloomington man has died following a single-vehicle crash along Interstate 55 late Monday near Towanda.

McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathy Yoder reports Rick J. Plourde was pronounced dead following the incident. Officials say a vehicle left the road to the east and became submerged in the Boyd Wesley Park Pond. Responding personnel entered the water to locate any victims and were unsuccessful.

A tow cable was used to remove the submerged vehicle after the arrival of the Hudson Fire Department Dive Team. Agencies already on the scene included the McLean County Sheriff’s Department, Towanda Fire Department, Hudson Fire Department, Normal Fire Department and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The incident remains under investigation by the McLean County Coroner and Illinois State Police.