2nd Grade Student Struck, Killed by School Bus in Illinois
The student was seriously injured after being hit in Park Forest. He was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.

A 7-year-old boy was killed when a school bus, which was transporting students from Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163, struck him.
Photo: Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163
A 7-year-old boy was struck and killed by a school bus in Park Forest, Illinois, on January 20. According to Park Forest Police, the bus was owned by Kickert Bus Company and was transporting students from Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 at about 3:13 p.m. when the accident happened.
NBC 5 Chicago reported that the student was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office as Connor Kaczmarski. He attended Mohawk Primary Center. Kaczmarski's family members were present at the scene and started lifesaving measures before first responders arrived. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Park Forest police are still investigating after Connor Kaczmarski, 7, was hit and killed by a school bus driver.
What neighbors, police are saying ->> https://t.co/i5UesUgOZDpic.twitter.com/r9awvZmoP4— WGN Morning News (@WGNMorningNews) January 21, 2023
The school district and police department made grief counselors available to students over the weekend and at the start of the school week.
The district released a statement saying in part, "[Connor] was a joy to all of his teachers, kind-hearted, smart and funny; always with a smile on his face. He will be missed greatly by the Mohawk and District 163 students and educators. Our entire school district is saddened by this tragic event."
Park Forest Police reported that the school bus driver and witnesses were interviewed by investigators. At the time of the department's press release, it was not known whether the driver would be facing any charges. The investigation is being led by the Park Forest Police Department and the Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team.
School Bus Fleet reached out to Cook-Illinois, which owns Kickert Bus Company, for a statement. An official for Cook-Illinois said they cannot make a comment since the accident is under investigation.
More Safety

How to Build a Better School Bus Driver Training Program
Is it time to strengthen your driver training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety. This video is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
Recent School Bus Accidents Leave 2 Dead, 2 Injured
Four school bus crashes in Florida, Illinois, and Georgia highlight risks in transportation lots, at bus stops, and during student loading and unloading.
Read More →
When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving
From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.
Read More →
What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help
School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.
Read More →
Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents
Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.
Read More →
Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.
Read More →
Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty
With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.
Read More →
Walton County Schools Adds Gatekeeper Stop-Arm Enforcement System
The Florida district will deploy Gatekeeper’s updated Student Protector technology, which now incorporates AI to improve video evidence.
Read More →
How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →

