GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill. — Glendale Heights police officers rescued three people from a submerged vehicle after it crashed into a pond early Sunday morning, authorities said.

Police were dispatched around 1:35 a.m. Dec. 14 to the area of Burdette Avenue and Roberta Avenue for reports of a vehicle in the water. When officers arrived, they found three individuals struggling in the pond roughly 20 to 30 feet from shore, with the vehicle submerged in about 12 feet of water.

Officers Dennis Stachura and Marco Lomibao immediately entered the frigid conditions to begin lifesaving efforts, working to keep the victims afloat while navigating ice, cold water and dangerous air temperatures near 1 degree Fahrenheit. Additional officers and the Glenside Fire Protection District assisted, successfully pulling all three individuals to shore.

The victims were treated for minor injuries. No officers were injured during the rescue. Police said the driver of the vehicle was charged with driving under the influence.

Chief George Pappas praised the response, saying the officers’ actions turned what could have been a tragic incident into a successful rescue.

Body-worn camera footage from responding officers was released, with victims’ faces blurred in accordance with Illinois law.

Source: Glendale Heights Police Department