Second-Grader Hit and Killed by Car on Way to School

A second grade Chicago Heights student was hit and killed by a vehicle near Washington-McKinley School Wednesday morning.

Seven-year-old Jackson Hill was on his way to school when he was struck near the intersection of 16th Place and Chicago Road. ABC News Chicago reports Hill was jumping through a puddle caused by a broken water main when it happened.

Paramedics transported Hill across the street to St. James Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:07 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team. No arrests have yet been made.

District 170 issued the following statement on their website Wednesday evening:

"It is with great sadness that the Board of Education and Superintendent deliver this message to the Chicago Heights School District 170 community. Today, the District 170 family experienced a tragedy. 

One of our students was involved in an accident on the way to school that claimed the student’s life.  It is never easy to experience the loss of a human life, but it is especially difficult to cope with the loss of a child.  The Board of Education and Superintendent ask for you to keep the student and the student’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

The District understands that it is the responsibility of the Board, Administration and District Staff to provide any and all assistance to the students and their families during this time of need.  As such, we are working to provide the students and staff of the District that have been affected by this tragic loss with any and all social and emotional support that these individuals need in order for them to appropriately grieve and process today’s events.

Please be aware that the District has implemented its crisis management plan.  No student or staff member will be without the help he or she needs to get through this emotional period.  If any member of the community has any information about a student or staff member that you believe requires assistance in dealing with this tragedy, please call the Assistant Superintendent Jill Raymond at (708) 756-4170. 

Only through the resolve and assistance of the community can the District service its students to the fullest extent possible in this time of great despair.

During this difficult time, the District would ask that the community respect the privacy of the family and other individuals involved in or affected by this tragedy.  Once again, the Board of Education and the Superintendent ask that you keep the student and the student’s family in your thoughts during their grieving period."