Northbrook Teen Killed In Eastbound I-88 Crash

SUGAR GROVE, IL — A Northbrook teen was killed in a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 88 in western Kane County Friday morning, according to Illinois State Police. The crash took place around 10:37 a.m. just west of Route 47 near Sugar Grove, where the left lane was closed for construction crews.

Samuel Gradman, 19, was driving eastbound in a blue 2003 Infiniti eastbound, and failed to yield to construction equipment, police said. He struck a black 2015 Ford, then lost control of the vehicle and crashed into two parked Illinois Tollway trucks and died.

The driver of the Ford, a 49-year-old Malta man, suffered a minor injury and was taken to Kidwaukee hospital. He was later released. None of the toll workers were reported injured.

Gradman was a graduate of Glenbrook North High School, according to an obituary prepared by his family. He had attended Kirkwood Community College and planned to transfer to Illinois State University where he had been accepted into its school of education.

Last year, he was a member of a bronze medal-winning basketball team with the Cove School, according to the Illinois Special Olympics. Sam was also a counselor at Apache Day Camp and found working with kids to be his true passion, according to his obituary.

"He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him," it said. "His unique charm and special spark would light up a room and instantly attract people to him."

Services were pending Monday.

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