A ruling from the Ford County Coroner states the death of a man who drove into Bayles Lake at Loda was the result of drowning. 68-year-old Steve Chapman was submerged in his Jeep after it ran into the lake December 16. Coroner Brandon Roderick called it “an accident.”

Chapman lived at Bayles Lake. The Coroner’s report indicated no foul play. There was no sign of any medical episode. Roderick calls it “accidental.”

Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police reported the Jeep was eastbound on County Road 200 N before it veered out of control and ran into the lake. Rescue attempts were made by witnesses. Loda firefighters eventually pulled the vehicle from the water after about 20 minutes. Chapman died at Gibson Area Hospital in Gibson City.

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