Ingleside teen killed in ATV accident

A 16-year-old Ingleside teen was killed Sunday after falling off the four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle he was driving, Lake County sheriff's officials said.

Joseph Cardella, of 25605 W. Old Grand Ave., was pronounced dead at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge by Cook County Medical Examiner officials.

The medical examiner's office conducted an autopsy Monday, but a cause of death was not released.

Cardella was driving the Polaris Twin ATV in an empty lot near his home about 3:05 p.m. when he attempted to jump a dirt hill, Sgt. Christopher Thompson said.

Cardella flipped off the vehicle in midair and landed hard on his head, Thompson said. Cardella was not wearing a helmet at the time.

The teen was flown via Flight for Life to Lutheran General where he was pronounced dead.

Family members were not available for comment Monday about the accident.

Cardella was a junior at Grant High School in Fox Lake, though wasn't well known because he transferred into the high school over the summer from Rolling Meadows, school officials said.

"He was a good kid, a real good kid," said Grant football coach Kurt Rouse. "He was working hard and making new friends. It's a real tragedy to have something like this happen to someone this young and energetic."