Texas Boy, 6, Visiting Dad on Spring Break Dies After ATV Crash on Sidewalk: ‘He Was an Angel'
The boy was driving a REX110 ATV on the sidewalk on Mission Boulevard in Joliet on Friday, March 15 when he 'lost control and struck a tree,' causing him to be 'ejected from the vehicle,' according to a news release shared by the Joliet Police Department.
Police Chief Bill Evans said the child was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center, 'where he was unfortunately later pronounced deceased.'
Family identified the child as Jason Alvarado, who was visiting his father in Illinois for spring break when the incident occurred, according to CW affiliate WGN-TV.
Related: 14-Year-Old Dies in ATV Accident 2 Years After Family Lost Older Son: 'They Are Both Happy and Free'
Lucero Quezada, the boy's grandmother, said her grandson was 'the most sweet boy I know.'
"He was the best kid in the world," Quezada said, NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV reported. She added, "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 a passenger on the ATV was not injured, according to Evans.
The police chief said neither the 6-year-old nor the 8-year-old were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to WGN-TV and WMAQ.
The ATV involved in the crash was designed for children and could go up to 20 mph, he said, according to the reports, noting, 'I wouldn't advise just putting a youngster on it.'
Related: 18-Year-Old Dies After ATV Falls Through Ice Weeks Before His Birthday: 'Center of His Family's World'
In the news release shared by police, Evans said, '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.'
He later added, 'May this child's memory be a blessing, and may we all take a moment to remember those most deeply affected by this tragedy.'
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An investigation into the crash is ongoing. No charges have been filed at this time.
More than $10,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign for the boy's family.
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