Rescuers seek passengers in burning car

• No one trapped in car, Aurora driver charged with DUI



AURORA – Emergency crews early Wednesday attempted to assist several individuals trapped in a burning car, but on closer examination, they found no one inside.

Instead, officers arrested the man who made the report, 28-year-old Charles Forell Jr. of Aurora. Forell was charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence.

The Aurora and Brookings fire departments, Brookings Ambulance and the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office were all called to the scene of the accident north of Aurora shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.

The car crash and resulting fire were reported by Forell, who initially told rescuers there were people trapped inside the burning vehicle.

Emergency teams searched the car and then searched the surrounding area, but they found no other people.

What apparently happened is that Forell was traveling west on 210th Street when his vehicle entered the south ditch where it caught on fire in some dry grass. The car, a 1998 Toyota Corolla, was a total loss.

The accident occurred about a half-mile west of 476th Avenue.

The incident remains under investigation by the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.