Natalia Chi
A 7-year-old Park Forest boy who died after being hit by a school bus near his home will be visited on Friday and Saturday.
Connor Kazmarski, who lives on the 100th block of Walnut Street, was a sophomore at the Mohawk Primary Center, which was staffed by grief counselors, according to Park Forest-Chicago Heights’ 163rd Elementary School District.
He was pronounced dead at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Hospital at 4pm on Friday when he crashed into a bus unloading students just after 3pm.
The boy’s death and cause of death are still under investigation as of Monday, the Cook County Coroner’s Office said.
According to the house, visitation will take place from 3-8 p.m. Friday and 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the Ridge Funeral Home at 6620 W. Archer Ave. in Chicago. The funeral will be held at his home on Saturday at 11am.
Park Forest Police said the investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Suburban Catastrophe Recovery Team.
In a statement to district families, District 163 Superintendent Karesa White said Kazmarsky was “kind-hearted, intelligent, funny, and a delight to all his teachers, and a tribute to the Mohawk and District 163 communities.” He will be greatly missed by students and educators.”
A makeshift memorial with stuffed animals and balloons was erected near the site of the accident.
The bus involved in the accident is owned by Kickert School Bus Line Inc. Police said the driver and witnesses to the accident were being questioned by investigators.
Police said a decision on criminal charges will be made in coordination with the Cook County State Attorney’s Office once all evidence has been obtained and considered.
Police said anyone with information about the accident should call 708-748-1309.
mnolan@tribpub.com
