MANHATTAN TOWNSHIP, Ill. — Authorities have identified the young woman who was killed in a serious crash involving a school bus Thursday morning in southeastern Will County. The Will County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Makenna M. Maurisak, 24, of Manhattan, died after her vehicle collided with a bus carrying elementary school students, sending shockwaves through the local community.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:17 a.m. on Manhattan-Monee Road, near Kankakee Street and west of Schoolhouse Road, an area frequently traveled by commuters and school traffic. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, where they found extensive damage to both vehicles and immediately began life-saving efforts.
According to the Will County Coroner’s Office, Maurisak was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:35 a.m. She had been driving a Chevrolet Malibu eastbound at the time of the crash. Preliminary findings from the Illinois State Police indicate that a school bus traveling westbound was involved in the collision.
State police say that, for reasons still unknown, Maurisak’s vehicle lost control and crossed over the center boundary line into the westbound lanes. “The front of the school bus struck the passenger side of the Chevrolet Malibu,” state police said in a news release. The force of the impact caused severe damage, and images from the scene showed the bus being towed away with its front end badly smashed in.
The driver of the school bus and 10 Manhattan elementary school students who were riding on the bus at the time of the crash were transported to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. According to the Manhattan Fire Protection District, all were treated for minor injuries and were reported to be in good condition. Officials did not release the identities of the bus driver or the children.
The crash remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police, who are working to determine what caused the Malibu to cross into oncoming traffic. No additional details have been released at this time. Authorities say more information may become available as the investigation continues. The tragic loss of a young life and the involvement of schoolchildren have left the Manhattan community mourning and seeking answers.
