A six-year-old boy died in an ATV crash on an Illinois sidewalk while visiting his father, authorities said.
According to WGN-TV, Jason Alvarado, a six-year-old child from Texas, was visiting his father for spring break.
He was driving a REX110 ATV on the Mission Boulevard sidewalk in Joiet on Friday when he “lost control and struck a tree.”
The collision “ejected Jason from the vehicle,” according to the Joliet Police Department.
He was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center, where “he was unfortunately later pronounced deceased,” according to Bill Evans, the Chief of Police.
Another 8-year-old boy who was a co-passenger on the ATV was not injured, according to Evans.
The ATV was designed for children and could reach speeds of up to 20 mph.
Neither child was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, and Evans stated that he would not “advise just putting a youngster on it.”
Lucero Quezada, Alvarado’s grandmother, told NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV that he was the “most sweet boy” she knew.
“He was an angel.” He came to make us all happy. “And he was very lovely, always happy,” she added.
The investigation is underway, but no charges have been filed.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $12,000 for Alavarado’s family.
“No words can fully express the grief of losing a child. “Our hearts are broken for the family, whose unimaginable grief is shared by our officers and the entire Joliet community,” Evans stated.
“May this child’s memory be a blessing, and may we all take a moment to remember those most deeply affected by this tragedy,” the minister said.
