Palatine HS cross country runner hit by car; driver cited
A Palatine High School cross country runner injured Thursday morning when struck by a car while jogging with teammates has been upgraded to stable condition and his injuries are no longer considered life-threatening, police said.
Ryan Kissane, 18, was running northbound in the crosswalk across Palatine Road at Rohlwing Road when he was hit at about 6:45 a.m. by a 2000 Chevrolet Camaro, police said. The car was turning left from southbound Rohlwing when it struck the student.
The car's driver, Frank Marcoux, 39, of Palatine, was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and having an obstructed windshield due to frost, impairing his view.
“That appears to be a leading cause of this accident,” Palatine police Cmdr. Michael Seebacher said of the windshield obstruction. “With this early onset of winter weather, we want to remind everyone to make sure all of their windows are clean of frost before they go about their days. All it takes is one small spot, and that could be where you don't see a pedestrian.”
Kissane, who remained conscious after the crash but initially appeared to have suffered head trauma, was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for treatment. The hospital listed him in serious condition Thursday.
A Palatine High cross country coach and the school's athletic director were at the hospital Thursday morning with the student and his family, said Tom Petersen, spokesman for Palatine Schaumburg Township High School District 211.
“It's obviously an extremely unfortunate accident,” Petersen said. “I know I speak for the entire Palatine High School community when I say our thoughts are with the boy and his family at this time.”
Marcoux was not injured in the crash, police said.
Witnesses indicated that the traffic signal was green for Rohlwing Road at the time of the crash, according to police.
Petersen said the Kissane was running with about six teammates when he was hit.
“The boys who were with him met with counselors from student services this morning, and counselors will be available at the school throughout the day for our students and staff,” Petersen added.
The intersection of Palatine and Rohlwing roads was closed for several hours while police investigated the crash.