Services Set For Boy, 7, Who Died After Being Hit By School Bus

PARK FOREST, IL — Services have been set for a 7-year-old Park Forest boy who died Friday after being hit by a school bus.

Visitation for Connor Kaczmarski, a second grader at Park Forest-Chicago Heights Elementary District 163's Mohawk Primary Center, will be held Friday, Jan. 27 from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 28 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at Ridge Funeral Home, 6620 West Archer Ave., Chicago.

Kaczmarksi was struck Friday afternoon just after 3 p.m. near his home in the 100 block of Walnut Street. He died shortly after at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Hospital.

District 163 Superintendent Caletha White said the boy was "a joy to all his teachers, kind-hearted, smart and funny; always with a smile on his face.

"He will be missed greatly by the Mohawk and District 163 students and educators. Our entire school district is saddened by this tragic event," White wrote in a statement to families.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, with Park Forest Police and South Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team working together to interview all parties involved and witnesses. The bus involved is owned by Kickert School Bus Line Inc.

The Park Forest Police Department is dedicated to ensuring a full, impartial, and complete investigation into this matter is conducted," police said. "... Unfortunately this review and associated evidentiary results cannot be completed as quickly as would be desired by anyone involved," police said. "An decision regarding criminal charges will be made in conjunction with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office when all evidence has been obtained and reviewed."

Police encourage anyone with information about the accident to call 708-748-1309.