Gurnee police: Boy pinned by minivan recovering
Gurnee police said an 11-year-old boy is recovering at home after he was hit by a minivan and pinned under the vehicle at Woodland Middle School.
Police Cmdr. Jay Patrick said the boy's mother relayed information about his condition to authorities Thursday, a day after the vehicle struck him at the Gurnee school's north entrance.
“He's doing pretty well,” Patrick said. “He's pretty shaken up by the whole experience.”
Patrick said the 11-year-old was at home with stitches in a knee and some bruises and scrapes on his body. He said the sixth-grader also suffered minor burns caused by the minivan's exhaust pipe.
Woodland Elementary District 50 officials said the driver mistook the gas pedal for the brake and drove backward into the school about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. They said the minivan was driven by a vendor who was delivering band uniforms.
Police said the 67-year-old Mount Prospect man behind the wheel was issued a citation under local ordinance for negligence while driving. Patrick said the crash remained under investigation.
Woodland's annual proof of residency event was occurring as the boy exited the middle school and was hit by the minivan. Patrick said there were four or five witnesses to the collision.
Authorities said the boy was pinned under the rear of the vehicle, and Gurnee firefighters arrived within about four minutes of being called. Patrick said the firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” rescue tool and placed the minivan on blocks to free the boy, who was brought by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
Patrick said the boy's family was thankful for first responders and others who helped after the crash. He said Woodland officials acted quickly and calmly when they became aware of the crash.