Girl, 9, Dies After ATV Crash in Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — A 9-year-old girl has died and an adult male has been severely injured after an ATV crash Tuesday evening in the area of Ridge Road between 135th Street and Plainfield Road.

The girl has been identified as Alexis Richardson, of the 13000 block of Conifer Street in Plainfield, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the ATV was traveling southbound on the asphalt path along Ridge Road, continued south through the grass where it entered a culvert, lost control and crashed, according to police.

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Officers were called to the scene at around 6:55 p.m. and found the ATV just off the roadway in the grass west of Ridge Road and south of a rock-lined culvert, according to police.

Police found a severely injured adult male conscious and breathing and a 9-year-old girl severely injured and not breathing, but being administered CPR. Officers continued CPR until paramedics arrived.

The man was taken via ambulance to Rush-Copley Medical Center and the girl was airlifted to Loyola Hospital via a Life Star helicopter, but later succumbed to her injuries.

Ridge Road between 135th and Plainfield was closed while the Plainfield Police Department Crash Reconstruction Unit investigated the incident.

Richardson was a student at Grande Park Elementary School in Oswego School District 308.

In a prepared statement, District 308 Superintendent Matthew Wendt said the district is deeply affected by the tragic loss of a delightful student.

"Alexis will be remembered as a happy, bubbly and caring young girl that did whatever she could to make others smile," Wendt said. "She was truly a bright and talented student in her classroom, loved school and enjoyed being with her friends.

The school district’s team of counselors, including psychologists and social workers, as well as the Kendall County Crisis Team, are currently at Grande Park Elementary School and will be available to students, their families and staff members for as long as needed.