6-year-old driving ATV dies in Joliet crash; family says he was visiting for Spring Break
JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- A young boy on Spring Break died after police said he crashed an ATV into a tree on Saturday in the south suburbs.
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The crash happened at about 5:04 p.m. in the 900-block of Mission Boulevard, Joliet police said.
A 6-year-old boy was driving a REX110 ATV on the sidewalk with an 8-year-old boy as a passenger.
The ATV lost control and crashed into a tree, ejecting the 6-year-old off the vehicle, police said. He was taken to the hospital where he died.
His family identified the boy as Jason Alvarado.
Jason was visting from Texas while on Spring Break, his older cousin Sarahi Quiñones said.
"It's just a shock, like I still can't believe it happened. I still even just walking here," Quiñones said. "I thought, you know, in my head, just he would be here, running around and playing, yeah, it's hard to believe."
Joliet police Chief Bill Evans says while the ATV was made for children, it can still reach speed ups to 20 miles per hour.
The family emphasized the importance of kids wearing helmet on any motorized vehicle.
The 8-year-old was not injured in the crash.
Joliet police are investigating the crash. It is unknown if any charges or citations will be issued.
