Addison Trail rallying around ‘honorable’ senior
For the fourth day, an Addison Trail High School senior who was hit by a car just hours before he was set to graduate remained in critical condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Dylan Domek, 19, of Addison, remained Wednesday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he’s been since the accident early Sunday on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.
Addison Trail Dean Curtis Tate said dozens of students and staff members were rallying around Domek, a well-liked senior and linebacker on the school football team.
“You couldn’t ask for a more honorable kid,” said Tate, who is also one of Domek’s coaches.
Tate said Domek was given the opportunity to play college football but instead chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Marines.
The teen had been working with a recruiter to finalize his plans as graduation approached.
“It’s just really sad,” he said. “Dylan’s the kind of kid, you want to be in a foxhole with him. He’s so strong and tough.”
Domek was injured shortly after midnight the morning of graduation when he stepped in front of a BMW while trying to cross Lake Shore Drive near Division Street on foot for unknown reasons, according to police.
About 30 classmates and teammates went to visit him in the hospital to show their support later that day, according to Tate, who described Domek as a leader respected by his peers.
“It just shows how much they love Dylan, how much they care about him, and how much they support Addison Trail,” he said. “When he said something, everyone would listen.”
Tate said Domek wanted to learn mechanics — again, like his father — in the Marines.
Domek also demonstrated “unbelievable toughness” on the field, Tate said, immediately wowing coaches when he was moved to the defensive line and, later, trying to play through a groin injury.
“We actually had to pull him out of practice,” he said.
Tate declined to comment on Domek’s condition out of respect for the family’s privacy, but said he has visited the teen, who has two younger brothers, and been in contact with his relatives.
“We’re all praying for his recovery,” he said.