A Wisconsin man reported missing since last Thursday night was found dead in a vehicle crash near Rosemont, Illinois, according to the Illinois State Police. Benjamin Oberto, 45, of New Berlin, Wisconsin, was discovered Friday afternoon when his overturned Subaru Impreza was located partially submerged in a creek near the I-90 eastbound ramp to I-294 northbound, as reported by ABC7 Chicago. Divers recovered Oberto's body from the vehicle, ISP confirmed.
The investigation is ongoing, but the incident unfolded after Oberto failed to return home from a work trip to Crystal Lake on Wednesday. He had assured his wife he would be home to tuck their son into bed. When he didn’t arrive, his wife contacted authorities. The New Berlin Police Department had reported no contact with Oberto since his last known location in Crystal Lake. Rosemont Police ultimately found the vehicle.
In a statement shared on Facebook and obtained by ABC7 Chicago, Oberto's wife expressed her grief, writing, "The news I have to share is not what any of us want to hear. Early this morning, we received confirmation that Ben's car and body were found... I don’t yet have the words to truly express the deep sorrow I’m experiencing."
The family mourns the loss of a man remembered as a devoted father, son, brother, and friend. "As we mourn this profound loss, let us also celebrate the love and joy he brought into our lives," his wife added, encouraging others to share memories and expressing gratitude for the community's support during the search.
Details about the crash remain limited. The Illinois State Police continue to investigate, with no immediate updates on the cause or contributing factors, according to CBS News Chicago.
