The Chicago Tribune recently published a detailed report on a follow-up investigation into an incident that occurred last week, where an elderly man tragically drowned after driving his car into a local pond. The story has sparked concern over emergency response protocols and the actions of the 911 dispatcher involved.
According to the article, the emergency dispatcher who received the call from Henry Laseke, an 89-year-old man from Arlington Heights, did not provide him with critical instructions to exit his sinking vehicle. Instead, the dispatcher repeatedly asked for Laseke’s address and reassured him that help was on the way. At one point, Laseke pleaded, “Hurry up, I’m sinking. The water is coming up…†but no guidance was given on how to escape the car.
Laseke was eventually rescued by fire department divers who broke through the car window, but he later died from his injuries. Experts suggest that if he had been able to get out before the car fully submerged, he might have had a better chance of survival.
Northwest Central Dispatch System, the agency responsible for handling the 911 calls, has launched an internal review to determine whether its protocols were followed during the call. Cindy Barbera-Brelle, the executive director, confirmed that the agency uses protocols developed by Priority Dispatch Corp., a company known for setting standards for emergency dispatchers across the country.
Michael Thompson, a consultant with Priority Dispatch Corp., emphasized that in cases of vehicles entering water, dispatchers are trained to tell callers to unfasten their seat belts, open the door or window, and exit the vehicle immediately. “Anything else is counterproductive,†he said.
Despite this, the dispatcher in this case did not issue such advice. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. on Thursday when Laseke reportedly lost control of his 2013 Cadillac SUV and drove into an 8-foot-deep retention pond near his home. Neighbors saw him talking on his phone inside the car as it floated in the water.
While there are no national mandates for emergency dispatch protocols, most agencies follow common guidelines. However, experts note that a sinking vehicle is considered a "technical rescue" and often requires specialized training that isn't typically included in general emergency protocols.
Fire Chief Glenn Ericksen stated that while he couldn’t comment on specific obligations of dispatchers, he stressed the importance of advising someone in a sinking car to undo their seat belt and open a window. He also mentioned that emergency crews may not arrive in time, as vehicles can sink quickly.
The National Safety Council reports that hundreds of people die each year due to vehicle submersion. John Ulczycki, a vice president with the council, said that in such situations, the priority should always be on escape — and that even basic steps like swimming to safety could make a difference.
This incident has raised important questions about the need for clearer, more standardized procedures for handling emergencies involving vehicles in water. As both the fire and police departments in Arlington Heights continue to investigate, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the critical role that timely and accurate communication plays in life-or-death situations.
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