Boy Ran In Front Of Bus, No Citations Issued To Driver: Park Forest PD

PARK FOREST, IL — No citations related to moving violations will be issued against the driver of a school bus that fatally struck a 7-year-old boy in Park Forest last month, police said Sunday.

Park Forest Police said that after a "thorough and exhaustive investigation" into the accident that killed Connor Kaczmarski, they determined the boy ran in front of the bus, and the driver was not aware he had struck him.

Video surveillance footage from the school bus and personal devices in the area aided police in determining that the driver had not been releasing students from the bus, and had turned the corner from the last stop.

"The child had been running alongside the passenger side of the bus and moved into the street directly in front of the vehicle, being struck," police said. "There is no indication that the driver was aware that the bus had been involved in a crash or had struck the child."

The investigation included "reviewing and analyzing video from the school bus, video from personally owned surveillance cameras in the area of the accident, toxicology results obtained after required testing pursuant to Illinois law, review of electronic data to ensure that the driver had not been distracted by electronic communication devices, interviews with multiple witnesses and the driver, and a full review of all other available evidence," police said.

Kaczmarski, a second grader at Park Forest-Chicago Heights Elementary District 163's Mohawk Primary Center, was remembered as "a joy to all his teachers, kind-hearted, smart and funny; always with a smile on his face," District 163 Superintendent Caletha White said.

"He will be missed greatly by the Mohawk and District 163 students and educators. Our entire school district is saddened by this tragic event."

The driver was cited for not having a valid commercial driver's license, after police found records showing that he had failed to provide proof of a medical examination to the Illinois Secretary of State. His license had expired nearly two weeks prior to the incident, police said. The driver was charged with operating a commercial vehicle with a cancelled commercial driver’s license, a misdemeanor. He was given a March 31 courtdate.

"Once again, the women and men of the Park Forest Police Department and the entire Village of Park Forest wish to express their sympathy to this child’s family and friends," the police department shared on social media."

Anyone experiencing adverse effects to this traumatic event is urged to call the Park Forest Police Department’s Community Engagement Coordinator at (708) 748-4701 for a referral for counseling services or other assistance.