Answers needed for grieving family
A young suburban man with such promise gone in an instant. A grieving family trying to make sense of their loss, in search of answers.
Such a sad story. And very similar to what we wrote about in this space just yesterday when commenting on the death of Declan Sullivan, the Long Grove native and Notre Dame student killed after the hydraulic scissor lift he was on toppled over in a windstorm.
This time the tragedy occurred in Des Plaines. And the answers are even harder to come by.
Choice Taylor. 17, had just finished his shift at a local Jewel. He had just spoken to his twin brother, Chance, by cell phone. He was walking home, crossing busy Algonquin Road, when witnesses say he approached a vehicle and somehow ended up underneath it when he was struck and killed.
The driver of what witnesses told police was a dull red or maroon semitractor without an attached trailer did not stop. Chance Taylor came upon the scene only to find out the horrific news that it was his brother, a senior like him at Maine West High School, who was the one killed.
Accidents happen. We don't know yet what was going on at the time this tragedy occurred. A nearby homeowner says the streetlight was out. Perhaps a pedestrian was hard to see. But to leave the scene? To stop down the street and check for damage and then leave again? To not yet accept responsibility, whatever that responsibility may be?
“This is real difficult for us. We really are working our tails off to find something here. We really are dependent on the public to help us with this,” said Des Plaines Police Chief Jim Prandini on Saturday. On Sunday, he said it's possible the driver didn't know he hit a pedestrian.
We, like the police and the Taylor family, are urging anyone with information especially the driver to come forward. A family, a school, a community are grieving and all need answers to help them deal with their loss. Don't let them face the future without those answers.
Choice Taylor was an artist, a member of the school chess club, the anime club, the graphics arts club and the bass fishing team. He planned to go to Oakton Community College and earn a certificate as a computer technician.
He had plans. He had a family. He made a mark on many people, even at such a young age. And, yet, he will be buried on Saturday.
“He was too good of a guy to let this go,” said Choice's sister, Unique Goff. “We need to know something. We miss him.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Des Plaines police at (847) 391-5400 or text an anonymous tip to “CRIMES” by first entering the keyword “ICARE” followed by a message of up to 160 characters.
At least one person may know what happened. Please come forward.