Authorities: Teenage boy riding e-moto killed in crash with SUV in Wauconda
A 14-year-old boy operating an e-moto who died from injuries he suffered in a crash with an SUV late Tuesday in Wauconda was to have been a freshman at Wauconda High School, officials said.
In a message to families Wednesday afternoon, Deb Monroe and Daniel Stoller, principals at Wauconda Grade School and Wauconda Middle School, respectively, said Tyler Waldal attended both.
“He was on the middle school wrestling team and a member of the WHS (Wauconda High School) football team,” the pair wrote. “Our hearts are with Tyler’s family, friends, teammates and peers.”
Preliminary autopsy results showed Waldal died from blunt force injuries as a result of the crash, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
Support for staff, students and community members is being made available from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday in the commons area of the high school, 555 N. Main St., according to the message.
“During difficult times, it is important that, as a school community, we reach out, check in, and ensure we are caring for one another,” the principals wrote.
Wauconda Fire District officials said they responded to the crash site on the 500 block of North Main Street just before 10 p.m. Tuesday and found the operator of “an electronic dirt bike” on the ground with life-threatening injuries.
The crash occurred near Wauconda High School. The e-moto and a 2025 Honda Pilot both sustained significant damage, fire officials said.
Waldal was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. Fire officials said he died at the hospital.
The Pilot was occupied by a 44-year-old female driver and an adult female passenger, according to Wauconda police.
Neither was injured. The driver is cooperating with the investigation and no charges have been filed, according to police.
North Main Street was closed for several hours in both directions as part of the investigation.
“Any time a young life is lost, it has a profound impact on an entire community,” Wauconda Police Chief John Combs said in news release.
Wauconda police referred to the vehicle the teen was operating as an e-moto. New state laws regulating the use of e-motos, which have no pedals like an e-bike, don’t go into effect until the start of the new year and would require a driver’s license.
“As e-motos and other similar electric vehicles become more common on our roadways, we urge parents and riders to understand their capabilities, follow traffic laws, wear proper safety equipment and recognize the serious risks involved,” Combs added.
Anyone with information about the crash should call police at (847) 526-2421.
“Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support as needed,” the principals wrote. “We will continue to support Tyler’s family and will share arrangements when they are finalized.”