Overview
- A 16-year-old identified by family as Alex Blacio lost control of a Lime e‑scooter and was struck by a northbound semi‑truck on Western Avenue around 3:35 p.m. on Monday; he was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center and pronounced dead.
- The Chicago Police Department’s Major Accidents Unit is investigating the collision and citations for the truck driver are listed as pending.
- Blacio’s family has held vigils and started a GoFundMe for funeral costs while Lake View High School and neighbors have organized grief supports.
- Hours after the Chicago crash, a juvenile on an e‑bike suffered life‑threatening injuries in Crystal Lake and remains hospitalized as McHenry County investigators continue their probe.
- Lawmakers have passed bipartisan legislation to regulate high‑powered e‑bikes and e‑scooters and the bill now awaits the governor’s signature as city safety campaigns push for more helmet use, clearer enforcement and better bike/scooter infrastructure.