Boy riding bike hit by car at "bad intersection" in Hampshire

A Hampshire boy suffered cuts and bruises, but no apparent life threatening injuries, when struck by a car late Monday morning as he rode his bicycle across what the village's police chief described as a "bad intersection."

The boy, whose age was not available, but believed to be between 8 and 10 years old, was taken from the crash scene at Route 72 and State Street to Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin for treatment of his injuries, Acting Chief Brian Thompson said.

"I think he was traumatized as much as anything, which is understandable" Thompson said.

The boy was riding his bike south across Route 72, on the west side of the intersection, about 11:45 a.m. when a westbound car driven by Merril Waller, 56, of Crystal Lake hit him and dragged him about 20 feet before stopping, Thompson said. Waller stopped at the crossroads, but said he did not see the boy before proceeding through and striking him, Thompson added.

Waller later was ticketed for failure to exercise due caution. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs played any part in the crash.

"It's a bad intersection," Thompson added. "We've put in requests to the state for stop lights and cross walks there, but we're on the five-year plan."