A tragic accident in Joliet, Illinois, claimed the life of a 6-year-old Texas boy after an ATV crash on a sidewalk, authorities reported. According to the Joliet Police Department, the young boy was riding a REX110 ATV on Mission Boulevard on Friday, March 15, when he lost control and collided with a tree. The impact ejected him from the vehicle.
Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans stated that the child was rushed to St. Joseph Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Family members identified him as Jason Alvarado, who had been visiting his father in Illinois for spring break at the time of the incident, as reported by CW affiliate WGN-TV. Lucero Quezada, the boy’s grandma, considered her grandson “the most sweet boy I know.”
“He was the best kid in the world,” Quezada told WMAQ-TV. “He was an angel. He came to us to make everybody happy. And he was very lovely, always happy.” An 8-year-old boy who was riding as a passenger on the ATV was unharmed, according to Evans. He also confirmed that neither child was wearing a helmet during the crash, as noted by WGN-TV and WMAQ-TV.
The ATV, designed for children, had a top speed of 20 mph. Evans cautioned against allowing young children to operate such vehicles without proper precautions. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, and no charges have been filed.
The Joliet Police Chief made a statement of Facebook, “There are no words that can fully capture the sorrow of losing a child. Our hearts are broken for the family, whose unimaginable grief is shared by our officers and the entire Joliet community. In times like this, we must come together to offer our prayers, strength, and unwavering support to those who are suffering. I want to express my deepest gratitude to our first responders who arrived at the scene, demonstrating unwavering professionalism and compassion while facing such a heartbreaking tragedy. May this child’s memory be a blessing and may we all take a moment to remember those most deeply affected by this tragedy.” – Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans
Following the heartbreaking incident, a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $13,000 to assist Jason’s family with funeral expenses.
