White Oak Park drowning victim identified

Posted on April 26, 2022
Preliminary autopsy opinion indicates that Dariyon Phelps died from drowning. Toxicology testing is pending. (Bloomington Police Department/Facebook)

By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathleen Yoder identified Sunday’s drowning victim as 19 year old Dariyon Phelps of Bloomington, IL. Phelps was pronounced deceased on April 24 at 08:31 p.m. in the Carle BroMenn Emergency Department.

Preliminary autopsy opinion indicates that Phelps died from drowning. Toxicology testing is pending.

“I want to give my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Dariyon in this extremely difficult time. Four of our bravest officers jumped in the cold water with a member of the community in an effort to save Dariyon,” Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington said.

“They all risked their well-being and lives to rescue him, but after successfully bringing him out of the water and starting resuscitation efforts, we were not able to revive him. The actions of the citizen, the fire department and our officers are commendable, and I am very proud of them!

On Sunday night, Bloomington Police Officers and firefighters were dispatched to White Oak Park for a report that Phelps was drowning in the lake.

A citizen assisted BPD officers in pulling Phelps out of the lake. Life saving measures were attempted by Bloomington Fire and Rescue personnel before being transported to Carle BroMenn Medical Center.

This incident remains under investigation by the McLean County Coroner’s Office.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

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