Springfield Mourns Two Teens Killed in Separate Crashes Within 48 Hours
Quaneal Leone, 14, was killed while riding his bicycle on East Cook Street. Luke Peterson, 13, died in a single-vehicle crash in McLean County. Both were Springfield teens.
Two Springfield teenagers died in separate crashes over a span of less than 48 hours, leaving families and communities in mourning and investigators scrambling for answers.
Quaneal Leone, 14, was struck by a motor vehicle while riding his bicycle on Monday evening. Luke W. Peterson, 13, died after a single-vehicle SUV crash late Sunday night in McLean County.
Both boys were identified by coroner offices on Tuesday.
A Cyclist Struck Near East Cook Street
Springfield Police dispatched officers to the intersection of East Cook Street and Eastdale Avenue at approximately 6:02 p.m. on Monday after receiving a report of a traffic accident involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist.
Officers arrived to find a juvenile male down in the roadway. The teen was transported to HSHS St. John's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:45 p.m.
"The Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, can confirm the identity of the 14 year-old Springfield child that was pronounced deceased after being struck by a motor vehicle, while operating a bicycle, near the intersection of East Cook and Eastdale Avenue Monday," according to a news release from NewsChannel 20.
An autopsy conducted Tuesday determined Leone died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the incident, according to the Sangamon County Coroner's Office.
No arrests have been made. The crash remains under investigation by the Springfield Police Department and the Sangamon County Coroner. Police are asking anyone with information to call Springfield Police at 217-788-8311 or Sangamon/Menard County Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427.
A Baseball Player Killed in McLean County Crash
Luke Peterson was a passenger in an SUV that left the roadway and crashed around midnight Sunday on U.S. Route 136 under the Interstate 55 overpass in McLean County.
Peterson was transported to Carle BroMenn Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:12 a.m. Monday, according to McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathleen Yoder.
"Preliminary cause of death is multiple blunt injuries due to a sports utility vehicle crash, reportedly sustained as a passenger in the SUV that left the roadway and crashed," according to a coroner release reported by NewsChannel 20.
The driver of the SUV was transported to an area hospital. The driver's condition has not been released. Illinois State Police and the McLean County Coroner's Office are investigating.
A Community Loses a Player
Peterson was a student at Glenwood Middle School and played on the school's baseball team. A social media post from the team on Tuesday paid tribute to him.
"Everyone at Glenwood Baseball is deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Luke Peterson. Luke had an undeniable impact on the middle school team last fall as a 7th grader. His potential was limitless as a baseball player and young man. Please keep Luke's family in your thoughts and prayers during their time of profound grief. Forever in our hearts Lukey P #13."
A memorial was installed on the pitcher's mound at the middle school field with a cap and baseballs. The post noted that Peterson was the winning pitcher of the Regional Championship game last fall, which was the last game played on that field.
Members of the public have been asked to stay off the mound until the team returns to action in August. Baseballs can be placed there in his memory.
Two Families, Two Investigations
Neither crash has resulted in an arrest. Both remain under active investigation by law enforcement and coroner offices.
For Springfield families, the losses came with little warning and no closure. Two boys. Two different streets. One city left wondering how to keep its young people safe.
Springfield Police continue to ask the public for any information related to the bicycle crash on East Cook Street.