Ottawa man drowns while fleeing police

An Ottawa man is dead after trying to flee authorities.  51-year old Joseph Engel was spotted by a police officer while walking near Main Street around 9:30 Tuesday night.  The officer knew Engel was wanted on an outstanding warrant and called him over to his squad car.  The officer told Engel of the warrant and tried to handcuff him.  Engel fought with the officer and bit him on the hand.  Engel then fled through a parking lot and went over a wall where the officer heard a splash.  He saw Engel in the Fox River.  Engel went under the water and did not resurface.  Eventually, rescuers pulled Engel out of the water and took him to Ottawa Regional Hospital where he later died.  An investigation continues by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office.