A 2-year-old girl died in Bolingbrook, Illinois, after a vehicle struck her while backing out of a driveway in a residential neighborhood. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has left the community grieving and authorities searching for answers. The Bolingbrook Police Department continues to investigate, as officials urge drivers to stay vigilant.
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Bolingbrook police responded to a call at 1:53 p.m. on Grand Canyon Drive, a quiet suburban street. A vehicle backing out of a driveway hit a 2-year-old girl, later identified by WLS-TV as Yunaleska Nival. Officers found the child in critical condition and provided emergency aid. Paramedics from the Bolingbrook Fire Department soon arrived and rushed her to a local hospital.
Despite medical efforts, Yunaleska succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, April 29, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed. Bolingbrook Chief of Police Mike Rompa called it “a tragic incident for everyone involved,” per WGN-TV. The police department’s Traffic Unit is actively investigating. No details about potential charges have been released.
Child Pedestrian Safety in Focus
The tragedy highlights the dangers young children face near vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 42,000 traffic fatalities involved children 14 and younger in 2022, the most recent year with available data. Urban areas, like Bolingbrook, account for 76% of child pedestrian deaths. Driveways pose a particular risk, with six child fatalities reported in driveway accesses in 2021 and 2022 combined.
NHTSA data also reveals that 54% of child pedestrian fatalities occur in daylight, compared to 40% at night. These statistics underscore the need for heightened awareness, even in familiar settings. “This loss is devastating,” Rompa said, echoing the community’s sorrow.
Investigation Moving Forward
The Bolingbrook Police Department is working to uncover the circumstances of the accident. Authorities have not disclosed the driver’s identity or relationship to the child. The investigation, led by the Traffic Unit, aims to determine if negligence or other factors played a role…