A 9-year-old girl was killed and a man was critically injured in an ATV crash in southwest suburban Plainfield Tuesday night.
Authorities were called to the area near 135th Street and Ridge Road about 6:55 p.m., according to a statement from Plainfield police.
Nine-year-old Alexis Richardson was found “severely injured” and “not breathing,” according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. A 53-year-old man was also severely injured, but was conscious.
Officers performed CPR on the girl until paramedics arrived, and she was airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where she died at 11:49 p.m., according to police and the medical examiner’s office. Alexis lived in the 13000 block of Conifer Street in Plainfield.
The man was taken to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, but his condition was not disclosed, police said.
"This is one of the calls that is the most heart-wrenching for us," said Sgt. Mike Fisher with the Plainfield Police Department.
Investigators believe the ATV was traveling south on the asphalt path near Ridge and Plainfield roads when the path abruptly ended and the vehicle lost control and landed in a rocky ditch.
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A sign indicating the path's end was put near the accident site Wednesday.
Authorities are warning residents about ATV safety following the crash. They believe Alexis was wearing a helmet, but it was one fitted for an adult.
"They are off road vehicles," said Fisher. "They are not authoritized for use on the street."
Family members have asked for donations on a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs for the young girl. A vigil is expected to be held April 27, where neighbors plan to place ribbons throughout the neighborhood in Alexis' honor.
