Family and friends are set to hold a celebration of life to remember a Wisconsin father of two who was found dead after drowning in a creek after going missing from Crystal Lake.
The Rosemont Police Department located a Subaru Impreza with Wisconsin registration on the evening of November 15.
The vehicle was rolled over and partially submerged in a creek at the bottom of an embankment on the curve from the eastbound Interstate 90 ramp to northbound Interstate 294, according to Illinois State Police.
Divers located a body inside the vehicle, later identified as Benjamin Stephen Oberto, 45, of New Berlin, Wisconsin.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office initially said an autopsy was performed on Oberto but the cause and manner of death had not been made and remained pending.
On Thursday, nearly three weeks after Oberto’s body was found, the medical examiner’s office ruled Oberto died as a result of drowning from his vehicle entering a body of water.
The medical examiner’s office ruled his manner of death as an accident.
“I don’t yet have the words to truly express the deep sorrow I’m experiencing,” said Oberto’s wife, Laura Leatherberry, following the discovery last month.
“These past 60+ hours of searching, wondering, and fighting to find my husband has been excruciating, but the overwhelming love and support from our family, friends, and community has helped me through this. Together, we will get through this too,” Leatherberry said.
Oberto was reported missing to the New Berlin Police Department the day prior to his body being discovered.
Leatherberry said her husband was last seen at 8:55 p.m. on November 13 at 1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake.
He was assumed to be headed home to New Berlin, Wisconsin, from the restaurant.
Leatherberry said that her husband’s last phone call was at 9:26 p.m. that evening and at 10:11 p.m. his phone went directly to voicemail.
“Ben was not just my husband; he was a loving father, a cherished son, a caring brother, and a true friend to so many. His vibrant spirit, loving heart, and unmatched generosity left an indelible mark on every life he touched,” she said, calling his death a “profound loss.”
A celebration of life for family and friends of Oberto is being held on Monday afternoon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event is intended for those who knew the man.
“Ben had a special gift for making everyone feel valued, regularly reaching out to family and friends with a smile and innumerable gestures of support and inclusion. His infectious positivity, sharp wit, generosity, and kindness left an indelible mark on those around him,” his obituary said.
Leatherberry said the site where her husband was found dead has seen many similar incidents in recent years, including on June 7.
Leatherberry recently sent a letter to Omer Osman, Secretary of Transportation at the Illinois Department of Transportation, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Congressman representing Illinois’ 8th District.
She called on the officials to “take immediate action” by installing a guardrail and adding signage indicating a sharp turn on the interstate ramp.
“I hope my husband’s death will not be in vain and that your office will act swiftly to address this urgent matter and improve the safety of this intersection,” Leatherberry said in the letter.
“Together, I know we can bring swift and impactful change that will save lives,” she added.
Google Street View imagery shows a guardrail around part of the curve of the interstate ramp in prior years.
Updated imagery from August 2022 shows part of the guardrail was missing after being damaged.
Records show Oberto’s death was at least the seventh time a vehicle crashed off of the same ramp since 2012.
In June, a vehicle left the roadway and landed in the same creek. Nine passengers, three of which were injured, were able to extricate themselves from the car before being assisted by the fire department up the embankment.
Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens, who is also a state representative, previously asked the Illinois Tollway to add safety measures to the location but the agency denied his request.
“This is unacceptable. I will not stop fighting for change,” Leatherberry said earlier this week as she called on people to demand action.
An obituary for Oberto said he met his wife in 2007 while working at a restaurant in Dallas. “Their love blossomed instantly, marked by a charming first date involving a rescued kitten, leading them to become inseparable partners in life.”
Oberto started driving a wine delivery truck in 2006 and worked his way up to a prominent position in wine sales with Massanois in New York City, the obituary said.
“He became a pillar in the wine community, known for his expertise and genuine compassion for others. He had an uncanny ability to turn every person into a friend and placed value in each interaction,” the obituary added.
A private memorial and burial are being held for family and close friends.