CHICAGO (WLS) — A 16-year-old boy riding an electric scooter was killed in a crash on the North Side Monday afternoon, Chicago police said.
His family members have been left mourning the loss of a teenager they described as kind, hardworking and excited about his future.
He is the third Chicago teenager killed this year while riding an electric scooter.
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The crash occurred at about 3:37 p.m. Monday in the 4000-block of North Western Avenue.
Police said the scooter and a semi were traveling northbound when the teen lost control and crashed into the truck.
The teen was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The teen’s family identified him as 16-year-old Alex Blacio.
Blacio was riding a Lime e-scooter and was about 10 minutes from his Albany Park home when the crash happened, according to his family. Police said Blacio was traveling north on Western Avenue when he lost control and was struck by a semi-truck near Irving Park Road.
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On Wednesday, Blacio’s parents and three sisters returned to the crash site, where flowers and candles marked a growing memorial.
“He had one of the nicest, kindest souls that could ever exist. He wasn’t selfish at all. He thought about everybody else. He was an amazing brother to all of us, an amazing son,” said his sister, Andrea Blacio.
Andrea Blacio said her brother had started a new job just three days before the crash and was heading home when he was killed.
“It was his first job. He was really excited about that. He was really happy to finish the school year off with all his friends,” she said.
Michael Enrique, who said he was leaving a nearby job as a medical assistant when the crash occurred, stopped to help.
“I tried to get someone to call 9-1-1. The patient had a pulse. When I checked, it was very faint,” Enrique said.
Because Blacio still had a pulse, Enrique said he remained hopeful.
“I just comforted him. I tried to comfort him, telling him, you know, that everything’s gonna be okay, just for comfort. Then paramedics came. The fire department came,” he said.
Blacio died a short time later at a hospital.
According to the family, the teenager was preparing to begin his senior year at Lake View High School and would have turned 17 in a few weeks.
The 16-year-old is the third Chicago teen killed this year while riding an e-scooter. City rules require riders to wear helmets and be at least 18 years old, or at least 16 with parental consent. Riders also are prohibited from riding on sidewalks.
Blacio’s father noted that the stretch of Western Avenue where his son was riding does not have a bike lane.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.
“Everything is still being investigated. We just want everybody to be kind and sympathetic. At the end of the day, we did lose our sibling. They lost their son,” Andrea Blacio said.
As scooter ridership increases, city leaders have focused greater attention on safety. The Mayor’s office recently launched a citywide safety campaign, and city officials reported riders took more than 7 million scooter trips across Chicago in 2025.
The city says riders should wear helmets, stay off sidewalks and use bike lanes when available. City rules also require riders to be at least 18 years old, or at least 16 with parent or guardian consent.
Doctors say increased ridership has coincided with a rise in injuries involving scooters and other small electric vehicles. At Lurie Children’s Hospital, emergency physicians say they treat three to five injuries a day involving scooters and similar devices.
One safety message emphasized by city leaders, doctors and transportation safety advocates is the importance of wearing a helmet.
“Without it, you’re going to see some traumatic brain injuries. We’re also seeing that a lot of them on the e-scooters might hit something on the sidewalk and flip over or hit a pothole and flip over,” said Molly Hart, a spokesperson for AAA.
Hart said AAA has seen an increase in injuries involving scooters and e-bikes and encourages riders and parents to understand the devices they’re using and wear appropriate safety equipment.
“We’ve seen an uptick in injuries,” Hart said. “It can be traumatic brain injury, it can be broken bones, facial, because you tipped over the front.”
She also said motorists share responsibility for safety.
“Drivers and motorists. They need to be diligent,” Hart said. “They need to be on full alert for this new type of transportation.”
Alex’s family said many questions remain unanswered as the investigation continues.
“Everything is still being investigated. We just want everybody to be kind and sympathetic. At the end of the day, we did lose our sibling. They lost their son,” a family member said.
His parents said Alex often talked about his future. They said he hoped to attend college and become an accountant.
For those who knew him, the focus remains on remembering the teenager they say touched countless lives.
“I want him remembered as a really joyful, happy boy,” Andrea Blacio said. “He touched so many hearts. He showed so much love to everybody.”
The Blacio family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for medical and funeral expenses.
The CPD Major Accidents Investigation Unit is investigating the crash and citations are pending.
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