Wood Dale news: Crews resume search for Hipolito Hernandez who went missing in reservoir
Share this @internewscast.com

WOOD DALE, Ill. (WLS) — Search crews resumed their recover efforts Wednesday looking for that man who went missing in a reservoir in Wood Dale.

The DuPage County Forest Preserve Police reported receiving a 911 call around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday regarding a man who purportedly went for a swim in the Wood Dale-Itasca reservoir and did not reappear.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The swimmer’s family arrived on the scene Wednesday morning and are devastated by his disappearance.

“It’s so devastating,” Celia Hernandez, sister of the missing swimmer, said. “We couldn’t take care of her son.”

Hernandez finds herself at a loss for words as search teams comb the Wood Dale-Itasca Reservoir for her 52-year-old brother, Hipolito Hernandez, whom the family calls ‘Polo.’

Hernandez said the father of five lived in nearby Bensenville.

“He loved entering ponds,” Celia Hernandez stated. “He would drink, then go in, you know…We just lost our mother a month and a half ago. He was her primary caregiver.”

Hernandez said her brother was at the murky reservoir with his girlfriend at the time he went underwater and never resurfaced early Tuesday evening.

“He was wading into the water, and she suddenly saw him going deeper until he started descending,” Celia Hernandez explained. “That’s when she called 911.”

Emergency responders from neighboring suburbs arrived swiftly at the location, undertaking a search for Hernandez prior to the mission officially transitioning to a recovery effort.

Hours later, crews are using drones, boats and a cadaver dog to find the man.

“I thought he was fishing,” Laura Susmarski, who saw the swimmer go in the water. “We have a lot of fishers that fish in there.”

Neighbor Susmarski says she saw Hernandez get in the water with a reassurance she says from the man’s girlfriend.

“His girlfriend believed he would be okay,” Susmarski remarked. “Then I heard him calling for her to join him swimming, but she refused. After that, I no longer heard him calling for her. That’s when I heard the sirens blaring.”

Family is anxiously waiting nearby for any news about a possible discovery as the search for Hernandez continues.

Swimming is not allowed in the reservoir.

According to the police chief the reservoir is intended for storm and retention from Salt Creek.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Photo of Valeria Sollai.

Two Dead, Including a 62-Year-Old School Cook, After Eating Toxic Guacamole; Two Children Hospitalized and Recovering

TWO people have died and two children are recovering in hospital after…
Israeli soldiers observing destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Strategy to Capture Gaza City: Launch of ‘Operation Gideon’s Chariots II’ to Eliminate Hamas

ISRAEL has revealed its plans to conquer Gaza City in a final push…
Kentucky judge killed in chambers accused of trading sexual favors for influence at wild parties

Kentucky Judge Found Dead in Chambers Amid Allegations of Trading Favors for Influence at Extravagant Parties

In rural Kentucky, a judge allegedly shot in his office last year…
CPS school board deeply divided over proposed Chicago Public Schools budget with days left to close $734M shortfall

CPS School Board Faces Major Divide Over Proposed Budget as $734M Deficit Deadline Looms

CHICAGO (WLS) — It is down to the wire. The Chicago Board…
Reporter having phone stolen on live TV.

Thrilling Live TV Moment: Reporter Robbed by Phone Snatcher on Bike

THIS is the shocking moment a TV reporter is robbed by a…
What Chris Pratt Said on Bill Maher's Podcast Is Going to Have the Left Even More Furious With Him

Chris Pratt’s Comments on Bill Maher’s Podcast Are Likely to Upset Liberals Even Further

People often ask why I choose to treat Hollywood with a touch…
Nicaraguan man illegally in US facing 'enhanced' charges after drunken hit-and-run: sheriff

Nicaraguan National in US Illegally Faces Upgraded Charges After Alleged Drunken Hit-and-Run Incident: Sheriff

A Nicaraguan national residing illegally in the U.S. is facing “enhanced” charges…
Dave Koz and his band were in flight delay hell. So they picked up their instruments

Dave Koz and His Band Turn Flight Delays into an Impromptu Jam Session

Passengers on a flight from St. Louis to Seattle experienced an unexpected…
'Pack the Bags, We're Going on a Guilt Trip'—the Secret to the Democrats' Success

“Unpacking Emotional Appeals: How Guilt Drives the Democrats’ Success”

If you grew up in a predominantly conservative area with parents who…
Woman and young child posing with a basket of flowers.

Influencer Yarely Ashley Hermosillo, 27, Tragically Killed in Road Rage Incident While with Her Children

AN INFLUENCER has been shot dead in front of her young son…
Florida woman says moving company held belongings hostage for months

Florida Woman Claims Moving Company Kept Her Belongings Hostage for Months

The BBB says you need to know two things when hiring a…

Tragic Collision Results in Fiery Bus Crash: 76 Dead, Including 17 Children, After Accident Involving Truck and Motorbike

AT least 76 people are dead including 17 children after a horrific…