Bike accident that killed toddler on North Side ‘preventable,’ father says

It occurred round 8:15 a.m. within the 1100-block of West Leland Avenue in Uptown Thursday, officers mentioned.

The semi was pulling away from a cease signal at Leland and Winthrop avenues round 8:15 a.m. when it knocked the mom off stability and the lady was thrown from a baby provider on the bike, in keeping with a police report.

The lady’s father, who was following on his personal bike, mentioned his spouse was “crowded” between the semi and the ComEd truck. Different witnesses mentioned the mom was startled when the semi began shifting, tried to regain her stability and was clipped by the truck.

The kid fell off the bike and was dragged by the semi for greater than 20 toes, the police report states. The kid was sporting a helmet and was sitting in a baby provider hooked up to the rear of the bike, police mentioned.

“We simply heard screaming after which we rotated and, I am assume it was the daddy, simply pounding on the truck to again up so they may pull the kid out from underneath it,” mentioned Tim Bartsch, witness.

She was recognized Elizabeth Grace Shambrook. Her father mentioned she glided by Lily Grace.

Her father mentioned the accident was solely preventable. He’s upset the ComEd truck was parked within the bike lane, and that the semi was driving down a residential road.

He mentioned his daughter was “superior,” sensible, and made them giggle, and now she is gone.

“I am unable to think about what a dad or mum goes via,” mentioned forty sixth Ward Alderman James Cappleman. “This will probably be one thing that may hang-out this dad or mum for the remainder of her life.”

ABC7 has realized the ComEd truck was cited for blocking no less than a part of the bike lane. And Ald. Cappleman mentioned even earlier than the accident there’s been discuss of including a “bump out” to that stretch of Leland Avenue. “Bump outs” lengthen the curb and decelerate site visitors.

“We have taken the steps to make it safer, however clearly we have to make it extra protected,” Cappleman mentioned.

ComEd issued a press release saying, “ComEd was issued a allow by the Chicago Division of Transportation to carry out work within the space, nevertheless, our investigation into the accident is ongoing.”

“For some motive there’s at all times 18 wheelers, all meals vehicles, taking place right here on a regular basis,” Bartsch mentioned. “The Christopher Home is correct there with youngsters enjoying on a regular basis. It would not make any sense why Leland is a large intersection for 18 wheelers.”

The collision occurred on a road with unprotected bike lanes, which suggests there are not any limitations between riders and motor autos. The Energetic Transportation Alliance mentioned that should change, releasing a press release saying partially, “This crash is simply the newest tragic instance that even designated bike routes like Leland are sometimes unsafe and uncomfortable for folks biking.”

Police are nonetheless investigating the incident with the help of the Main Accident Investigation Unit.

The Solar-Instances Media Wire contributed to this report.