Man Helping Goose Across Road Fatally Hit By Van In Kane County: Cops

KANE COUNTY, IL — A Good Samaritan was killed after being hit by a car while trying to help a goose that was in the road on Tuesday morning.

Authorities were called to the incident on Route 25 in unincorporated Elgin Township at about 6 a.m., according to a news release from the Kane County Sheriff's Office. Authorities say the 59-year-old West Chicago man had pulled over right in front of 1200 St. Charles Street to help get the goose off the road.

The man was in the southbound lanes of traffic when he was hit by a 2012 Chevrolet Express Van, which was headed south on Route 25 at the time, according to authorities.

The pedestrian has been identified as Rateb Arqan, 59, of West Chicago. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Arqan was holding the goose when he was hit by the van. The goose also died, Brandon McKiness, a spokesman for the Kane County Sheriff's Office, told Patch.

The driver of the van, a 29-year-old Elgin man, was treated at the scene and released. It is unknown if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, and no citations have been issued at this time, authorities said Tuesday morning.

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Elgin Police Department and the Kane County Office of Emergency Management at the scene of the crash. The investigation is still ongoing by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office investigations Division and Kane County Drone Team.

Anybody who witnessed the crash or has any information related to the crash should contact the Kane County Investigations Division at 630-444-1103.