Crime & Safety
Kankakee, IL Crash: Boy, 12, Hospitalized After E-Bike Hits Car
KANKAKEE, IL – A 12 year old boy was injured Wednesday evening after an electric bicycle he was riding collided with a moving vehicle near downtown Kankakee, prompting an emergency medical response an
By Lena Wood · 2026-10-09T23:19:57.659Z
KANKAKEE, IL – A 12 year old boy was injured Wednesday evening after an electric bicycle he was riding collided with a moving vehicle near downtown Kankakee, prompting an emergency medical response and an apparent transfer to a Level I trauma center.
According to Kankakee Fire Chief Bryan LaRoche, the collision occurred around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of East Chestnut Street and North Harrison Avenue.
A witness reported that the boy rode his e bike into the side of a moving car. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the collision.
The child was reportedly not wearing a helmet when the crash occurred.
Emergency responders transported the 12 year old to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was then reportedly flown to a Level I trauma center for additional medical care.
The severity of his injuries has not been confirmed, and his current condition remains unknown.
The crash happened near downtown Kankakee, a community in Kankakee County south of the Chicago metropolitan area. The intersection is located within a residential and commercial area where motorists and cyclists share local streets.
It remains unclear whether the driver of the vehicle suffered any injuries or whether authorities issued any citations following the collision.
The incident highlights the potential dangers associated with collisions involving electric bicycles and passenger vehicles, particularly when riders are not wearing protective helmets.
Safety officials generally recommend that children riding bicycles or e bikes wear properly fitted helmets to help reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
No further information about the child's condition or the investigation was available in the initial report.