Teen's death may have been a case of 'breezing'

Police in Maple Park believe a 14-year-old boy struck and killed by a freight train last month may have been playing a dangerous game known as "breezing."

The name refers to the thrill some people get from standing up close to a passing train.

The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reported that Union Pacific Railroad officials provided authorities in Maple Park with video showing eighth-grader Parker Wolfsmith moments before he died on May 31.

Police Chief Mike Acosta told the newspaper the video shows the boy approaching the train as it gets closer to a crossing. The video does not show him being struck.

Acosta said that, according to investigators, Parker had spoken with classmates about "breezing."

"It's unfortunately something that kids do," Acosta said.