'Unimaginable tragedy': Police say 14-year-old was victim who died in electric bike, SUV crash near Wauconda High School

The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team investigates a crash involving an e-moto and an SUV that left a 14-year-old boy dead at the entrance to Wauconda High School Tuesday evening. | Photo: Nick Rusin

Police say it was an “unimaginable tragedy” after a 14-year-old boy died when his electric dirt bike collided with a car in front of Wauconda High School, as investigators work to determine who was at fault.

The Wauconda Fire District and Wauconda Police Department responded around 9:58 p.m. Tuesday to the 500 block of North Main Street in Wauconda for a vehicle crash with injuries.

Wauconda Fire District Battalion Chief Scott Schrayer said it was reported to involve a car and a bike.

Initial reports indicated the operator of the e-moto was possibly not breathing, Wauconda Police Department Public Information Officer Heather Cognac said.

Emergency crews arrived and found a collision involving an electric dirt bike and an SUV, Schrayer said.

A preliminary investigation shows the e-moto was operating southbound on Main Street while the gray 2025 Honda Pilot was traveling northbound on Main Street when the crash occurred, Cognac said.

Schrayer said both vehicles sustained significant damage. The crash occurred in front of the entrance to Wauconda High School.

The operator of the dirt bike, a 14-year-old boy, was found lying in the roadway with critical injuries.

The victim was transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Schrayer said.

The boy later died overnight in the hospital from his injuries.

The Honda Pilot was occupied by a 44-year-old female driver and an adult female passenger, Cognac said. Both occupants were evaluated at the scene but were uninjured.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified and responded to the hospital to take possession of the victim.

An autopsy is being scheduled and the child’s identity has not been released yet.

The Wauconda Police Department requested the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) to conduct a crash investigation.

North Main Street was shut down in both directions for several hours during the emergency response and subsequent investigation, Schrayer said.

Wauconda Police Chief John Combs said he expresses his condolences to those impacted by the tragedy.

“Our hearts are with the young man’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy. Any time a young life is lost, it has a profound impact on an entire community,” Combs said.

“As e-motos and other similar electric vehicles become more common on our roadways, we urge parents and riders to understand their capabilities, follow traffic laws, wear proper safety equipment, and recognize the serious risks involved,” Combs said.

It has not been determined which vehicle was at fault. The incident remains under active investigation by the Wauconda Police Department and MCAT.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist investigators is encouraged to contact the Wauconda Police Department at 847-526-2421.

‘Unimaginable tragedy’: Police say 14-year-old was victim who died in electric bike, SUV crash near Wauconda High School