This Investigation is still pending and the information provided in this narrative is just a summary of the events that occurred. Any additional information will documented in a Field Report.  

On 07/28/2023 at approximately 7:20AM, I, Conservation Police Officer, was notified by IDNR Captain via email of a boat incident that occurred on Lake Michigan - Chicago. I arrived at the Chicago Marine Safety Station at approximately 9:00AM and gathered information regarding the incident. I was provided the Chicago Marine Safety Activity Report, Chicago Police Original Case Incident Report, Chicago''s Event History Table (5 Pages), and Chicago''s Service Call. I arrived at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at approximately 9:55AM to interview the occupants of the boat incident, CPOT went to Stroger Hospital to interview the other victims there. 

I first interviewed three people. I was advised by all 3 that Operator was the owner/operator of the boat at the time of the crash and they were leaving the Play Pen to go back to Diversey Harbor before striking the breakwall. No boat information could be confirmed at this time. CPO and I video and audio recorded the interview with Operator at the hospital, read him miranda. Operator''s attorney was present and he did not make a statement. I read Operator the Traffic Crash Warning to Motorist and provided him with a copy. I advised him of his requirement of filing a Boat Accident Report and advised where the form can be located.   

Chicago Police Dispatch Event History Table states it received a 9-1-1 call on 07/28/2023 at 2:42AM from a female caller, caller advised she was involved in a boat accident and was transferred to the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), and the caller hung-up before speaking with them. At 3:26AM, Dispatch received another phone call, caller stated her white boat crashed in the lake close to the Drake hotel near the break wall, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and CPD Marine Unit(CPDMU) was notified. At 3:28AM, CPD Dispatch left a voicemail for the Department of Natural Resources at our Chicago Office location.

CPDMU Marine Safety Activity Report - Event#: 01621 Stated the following: 
On 07/28/2023 at 3:27AM, CPDMU - RESOURCE Boat received notification of an overturned vessel near 1000 N. Lake Shore Drive - Chicago - Lake Michigan.  Marine Unit Headquarters (MUHQ) received a call of people stranded on the breakwall after their boat sank. MUHQ located one of the occupants through MUHQ cameras, the occupant was trying to swim to shore from the breakwall. 

MUHQ directed resource to the occupant trying to swim to shore. MO entered the water and rescued them and turned them over to CFD. Resource proceeded to the breakwall to search for the other occupants. CFD advised they removed 5 people from the east breakwall, and an occupant was still missing from the overturned vessel. They stated it was a female wearing a white shirt. RESOURCE conducted a search of the breakwall and located an overturned vessel approximately a half mile from the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. RESOURCE conducted a search of the area with negative results for the missing occupant. Search and tow operations were limited due to serve weather. Per CFD the rescued occupants were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital. CFD advised they deployed divers and located the missing female who was pinned near the stern of the vessel on the breakwall. She was unable to be recovered due to the position of the vessel and severe weather conditions.



Lake Michigan
Chicago                       