Boy, 4, dies after Beecher crash that killed pregnant mom, 1-year-old brother

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Thursday, July 27, 2017
Boy, 4, dies after Beecher crash that killed mom, brother
A 4-year-old boy died after a crash in far south suburban Beecher that killed his pregnant mother and younger brother, the Will County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

BEECHER, Ill. (WLS) -- A 4-year-old boy died after a crash in far south suburban Beecher that killed his pregnant mother and younger brother, the Will County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

Weston Schmidt succumbed to his injuries at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said.

His 29-year-old mother, Lindsey Schmidt, and his 21-month-old brother, Kaleb Schmidt, were killed in Monday's crash. Weston's 6-year-old brother is still on life support.

Family and friends gathered to pray for the family Wednesday night. The close community of roughly 5,000 wants the Schmidt family to know everyone is thinking about them.

"We are just so heartbroken," said Crystal Johnson, Beecher resident.

Residents lit candles and prayed for everyone affected by the tragedy.

The family was only one block from their Beecher home when the crash occurred. Lindsey Schmidt was taking her boys to bible camp when they were hit, the sheriff's office said.

Police said the 25-year-old driver of the truck that hit them is being treated for an injury to his arm.

The 2002 Chevy S10 pickup was traveling eastbound on Corning Road and failed to stop at the stop sign. Schmidt was driving a 2014 Subaru Outback, heading north on Yates Avenue. She did not have a stop sign.

Investigators are trying to determine if the driver should face charges and will examine his cellphone to determine if he was texting when the crash occurred, Will County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said.

The driver's name hasn't been released.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.