Naperville teen killed, one injured when tree branch falls on them

Kyle Zuleg's smile and upbeat attitude were infectious. Just having the Naperville teen around, they say, made the day better.

The 16-year-old Neuqua Valley High School volleyball player's personality made it happen even if they were not in the mood for a pick-me-up.

“He just made everyone's day, said his friend, Nicole Hoekstra, 15. “Even when you wanted to cry, he'd make you laugh. He was always himself, and he never did care what others said about him.

Kyle died two days after he and another teen were injured by a falling tree limb Saturday at a Will County forest preserve. The teens were playing flashlight tag while on an annual camping trip with family and friends. Tom Harless, 13, remained hospitalized at Children's Memorial Hospital, relatives said Tuesday.

A bonfire usually set for Neuqua's Homecoming festivities on Monday turned into a partial memorial for Kyle, who enjoyed the outdoors. Nicole Hoekstra said more than 300 people wrote down memories of Kyle and threw them into the fire.

“We were there trying to talk about Kyle, said Nicole, who attends Waubonsie Valley High School but met Kyle during the summer. “But it's really hard when you are with your friends and still mourning and you don't know what to say.

During their game of flashlight tag, a one-ton branch suddenly fell from a height of about 70 feet, said Capt. Edward McCormack of the Homer Glen Fire Protection District.

“This was a tragic accident. A wrong place, wrong time-type thing, he said. “Nothing they did (caused the branch to fall). It was not a windy night ... it just happened.

The teens were taken to Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, where Kyle was revived temporarily. However, he died Monday after being airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

The accident occurred about 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Messenger Woods Nature Preserve near Homer Glen.

The 80-year-old, 444-acre forest preserve is on a regular schedule that sends crews out to clear brush and limbs hanging over trails, said Laura Kiran, Will County Forest Preserve District superintendent for public affairs. She said officials are consulting with a risk management agency to investigate the accident to see whether future incidents can be prevented.

“It's very tragic and a kind of very odd and freak accident, she said. “We are just saddened by the whole incident. We don't want to ever see these things happen.

Kiran said the teens were about a half-mile away from their campsite and off the natural trails that are in Messenger Woods.

“It's really difficult to assess because you never know when something may happen that is just unanticipated, she said. “Certainly, our condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends.

At the school, Neuqua Principal Robert McBride posted a letter on the school's website letting parents know that the school will provide services to students from counselors, social workers and psychologists as long as necessary. McBride said he often saw Kyle while he helped with the production of the weekly student-produced TV news show, Wildcat Weekly.

Nicole Hoekstra said the grieving process has started to take shape.

“It's been really rough, she said. “We're kind of crying but we're becoming more numb about it and realizing that we need to think about the good memories and laugh about the good times and say goodbye. He was just a great friend.

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Marie Wilson contributed to this report.