Updated: Rising McCormick senior Mihirtej Boddupalli dies in Naperville car accident Saturday morning

Rising McCormick senior Mihirtej Boddupalli died Saturday morning in a car accident in Naperville, Illinois, police said.

Rising McCormick senior Michael Szot was driving the vehicle and survived the accident, but Boddupalli and Sajaad Safiullah Syed, a 21-year-old Naperville resident, died in the crash.

Boddupalli, 21, was from Lisle, Illinois.

Szot, a 21-year-old Geneva, Illinois resident, was arrested in connection with the crash and charged with four counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol causing the death of another and two counts of reckless homicide, police said.

Naperville police said they responded to the accident at about 1:59 a.m. at the intersection of Aurora Avenue and Eagle Street, where a 2007 Chevy Impala crashed, resulting in the car being driven into the Park District quarry. The car was traveling westbound on Aurora Avenue and hit several trees before falling into the quarry, police said.

Szot was able to escape from the vehicle and swim to safety. The two passengers were unable to get out and were found by fire and police divers. All three occupants were transported to Edward Hospital, where the two passengers were pronounced dead, police said.

The University released a statement Saturday evening.

“This is a terrible tragedy and a tremendous loss,” University spokesman Bob Rowley wrote in the statement. “Northwestern University extends our condolences to the family and friends of Mihirtej Boddupalli. The loss of any one member of our community affects us all.”

Police said they are currently investigating the incident.

This article has been updated with additional information and a statement from the University. 

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