The southwest suburb of Manhattan is mourning the loss of two junior high school students, one of whom died after being struck by a semi truck at a busy intersection, with the village calling the deaths “tragic” and officials pressing for traffic changes.
One of the students, a 13-year-old boy, was riding a bicycle about 5:35 p.m. Monday evening when he was hit by a semi truck at State and East North. When Manhattan police and firefighters arrived, they found the boy unresponsive underneath the semi trailer, according to a release.
An investigation remains underway.
“Our children deserve safe streets, protected crossings, and a town where they can move freely without fear,” Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen said in a message posted to Facebook Tuesday morning. “I know many residents have concerns about semi-truck traffic, especially near schools, parks, the library, and the community center. We have shared those same concerns with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Hours earlier, the village posted a separate Facebook message saying it was mourning the loss of another young boy, who had passed away in an unrelated event the previous week.
“Please keep both families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the message said.
The Manhattan School District 114 also sent a letter to families about the students.
“The Manhattan School District 114 community has been devastated by the unimaginable loss of two of our junior high students,” the district’s statement, sent to NBC Chicago, said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of these beloved students.”
According to the district, all after-school activities were canceled Tuesday, and support services were available.
Andrieansen said residents have previously expressed concerns about semi-truck traffic in downtown Manhattan, and that the village was taking steps to improve safety near where the crash took place, including “adding Rt. 52 as a size-restricted truck route.”
The village plans to add more crosswalks, an additional intersection at Baker Road, and school zone signs near St. Joseph School, Andrieansen’s message said. Officials were also calling for a traffic study.
Tuesday night, a memorial at the intersection grew, with candles, flowers and signs.
“Your heart breaks for the family,” neighbor Fred Harvey said. “This is a very tight knit community. I have kids who go to school with the boy who died, and it’s just a tragedy.”
NBC Chicago reporter JC Navarette contributed to this story.