Efforts to improve the intersection of Rt. 52 and North Street — and curb truck traffic through Manhattan’s downtown — have intensified following a fatal accident on October 20 that claimed the life of 13-year-old Chance Hunnicutt.
Hunnicutt was struck and killed by a semitruck while riding his bicycle through that intersection, an accident that rocked the small community already reeling with grief from the untimely death of 11-year-old Danny Bayles, who died just four days before from a medical emergency. The two boys were students at Manhattan Junior High School.
In the week following the tragic deaths, the grieving community has come together to support one another — and especially the youth in the community, grappling with understanding the empty seats in their classrooms.
Despite these challenges, many are turning that grief into action, hoping to bring something positive out of tragedy and finally enact change.
Jurisdictional Challenges
The intersection where the fatal accident occurred is where two IDOT-controlled state routes intersect: Rt. 52, which narrowly curves past historic buildings on both sides of the street, and North Street, a residential area in Manhattan that eventually reaches I-57 in neighboring Monee.
Manhattan sits in a perilous location between two major trucking hubs. To the west of Manhattan is the largest inland port in North America, Centerpoint Intermodal, a development so large it is located in both Elwood and Joliet. To the east, Monee is home to an Amazon distribution center and a slew of other warehousing developments that sit along I-57.
Although Rt. 52 is a truck route, there is a 65-foot length restriction, which extends down North Street. However, the gettingaroundillinois.com does not clearly identify the limits on North Street.
Large trucks, commonly container trucks traveling from the intermodal, often look for shortcuts to skirt around congested roadways and find it by driving through the otherwise quiet streets of Manhattan.
Complicating matters is that both roads are state roads under IDOT’s jurisdiction, meaning the village can’t make any changes or even erect signage without IDOT’s permission.
Even the popular Scarecrows on Parade had to be moved to the Wabash Parking lot because IDOT advised the village they couldn’t be along the sidewalks, as it encroached on the IDOT right-of-way, Mayor Mike Adrieansen explained.
First Responders Fighting for Change
“I don’t have words to describe the emotions we have right now. We, as a town, as a police department, are grieving. We’re all human. This town is hurting, hurting bad, and we feel it,” Police Chief Ryan Gulli said.
Immediately following the accident, truck enforcement officers issued more than 140 tickets since the accident, underscoring just how heavy truck traffic can be through the small town — and the Manhattan Police Department’s commitment to taking immediate action to restore roadway safety, while deterring overweight, overlength, and speeding trucks from passing through town.
The village hired its first truck enforcement officer last year and currently has seven certified truck enforcement officers on the police force. Enforcing truck violations requires specialized training and knowledge of complex laws, inspection protocols, and specific safety measures for conducting truck traffic stops.
While this is a step forward, Gulli said he is committed to finding better, more permanent solutions and working with IDOT to make them happen. Gulli said he’s already been in contact with IDOT officials and wants tangible change, beyond another study.
“We have to sit at the table and figure this out, because one life is too many. I want a change for the positive so this never happens again,” Gulli said with unyielding resolve.
Like the Police Department, Manhattan Fire Protection District’s Chief Steve Malone echoed the Police Chief’s sentiment, expressing his condolences and a commitment to making a change.
“We regularly meet with our state and local elected officials to determine ways we can improve particularly dangerous intersections and are committed to helping in any way we can,” Malone said.
Local Leaders Pledge Support
Mayor Mike Adrieansen issued a statement highlighting what the village has done and currently is working on to improve safety, following the outpouring of concern and calls for change online.
The statement highlighting action items came after he expressed his condolences to the grieving community, one he is very much a part of, as his young son had attended school with one of the boys who died.
“Our children deserve safe streets, protected crossings, and a town where they can move freely without fear. I know many residents have concerns about semi-truck traffic, especially near schools, parks, the library, and the community center. We have shared those same concerns with the Illinois Department of Transportation,” Adrieansen’s statement read.
The statement went on to include a bulleted list entailing what they’re doing. The list included expressing concerns to IDOT, including adding Rt. 52 as a size-restricted truck route, establishing crosswalks downtown, working on Phase 1 engineering at the Baker Road intersection to slow traffic, additional School Zone signs, and commissioned a traffic study. The village also applied for a grant and worked with the police department to establish a dedicated truck enforcement program.
“You’re a board member and you know, you see social media like, why don’t you do something? We are. We’re trying. Try harder. We are. We’re trying harder, and we’ll keep trying harder,” Trustee Justin Young said.
Every board member present expressed shared grief, offered prayers and condolences, and expressed a desire for change, several at a loss for words.
“It’s unfortunate that this happened — that it ever happens,” Adrieansen said solemnly to The Vedette, acknowledging the difficult circumstances and reiterating he genuinely wants to see something change.
State Response
State Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) issued his condolences on social media and quickly responded to a media inquiry.
“Safety is my number one priority, and I will not stop efforts until roads are safer, and we have zero fatalities on Illinois roadways,” DeLuca said in a phone call the day following the accident.
DeLuca said he was in touch with IDOT all day, and recalled having studies conducted in the same area in the past, as well as working on a potential truck bypass to Cedar Road.
“District 1 will review conditions and crash history, conduct a study, and reach out to me when it’s complete. It’s a very good first step for IDOT to conduct an updated review, and this is Day 1 following the accident,” DeLuca said.
DeLuca cautioned that the study wouldn’t necessarily result in changes, adding, “Conducting another review doesn’t mean what they have in place isn’t safe.”
IDOT responded to a media inquiry, emphasizing its desire for safe roads and offering condolences.
“Our engineering staff evaluates the circumstances of each fatal crash, along with road characteristics, and previous crash types that have occurred at this location,” IDOT Public Information Officer Maria Castaneda said in response to a media inquiry.
Castaneda confirmed IDOT is conducting a traffic study of Rt. 52 and North Street/Manhattan-Monee Road, including all approaches to the intersection. It is estimated to be completed in early 2026.
“This involves reviewing the existing conditions, evaluating traffic counts and crash data, along with assessing current traffic control and potential modifications,” Castaneda added before affirming IDOT will work with the municipality and interested stakeholders on any possible mitigation measures.
Community Response
Manhattan’s regularly scheduled board meeting, held the day after the accident, began with a moment of silence to remember and honor the boys. Resident Liz Leamer spoke during public comment, offering condolences before sharing her story.
Leamer’s son was hit by a car last year in front of their home, about a half-mile on the same road as Hunnicutt’s accident. Her son survived with minor injuries, but it deeply impacted her.
“That moment will forever live in me. It was traumatic, and I can’t imagine how these families are feeling,” Leamer said through tears.
She credited the police department with stepping up truck enforcement in recent years, something she’s noticed living at her North Street address for the past decade.
Despite her gratitude to the Manhattan Police Department, Leamer raised the issue that truck drivers seem to be unaware of the one-mile stretch on North Street prohibiting trucks more than 65 feet, as evidenced by the number of tickets she saw when she went to court after her son’s accident.
She retold how driver after driver claimed their employer told them to take North Street, which uses GPS tracking, and noted there is no signage indicating restrictions. She said signs previously were erected, but the state required them to be removed.
“How do we work with the state to get that, because these trucks can’t be coming through and killing our kids,” Leamer asked.
She also expressed concerns about the routes in general, noting there really isn’t a good route for trucks to take around town. Additionally, the speed limit drops from 55 to 30 over a very short distance on North Street, yet many do not reduce their speed.
She proposed potential improvements, such as a solar-powered radar sign and rumble strips, but acknowledged she wasn’t sure what the best options were. She said she reached out to Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) for help.
“Going on record is important, and I just want to — I want to fix this,” Leamer concluded.
Other members of the community spoke, offering condolences and expressing safety concerns.
Adrieansen responded he was listening, taking notes, and would make himself available to anyone who wanted to speak with him further after the meeting or by phone.
Across social media, residents called for change and posited ideas: adding signage, lowering speed limits, rerouting the truck route, dedicated crosswalks, installing rumble strips, installing truck barriers, permanent speed radar, and more.
Ongoing Community Support
As the community navigates the loss, Manhattan School District 114’s tremendous response to the tragedy brought in additional counselors, social workers, a therapy dog, and canceled extracurricular activities in the days following the deaths to allow families to grieve.
The sidewalk in front of MJHS is filled with chalk messages of love and support, undoubtedly a sign of comfort as students and teachers face school days without their beloved classmates.
MSD 114 organized a vigil for the community to “come together to support one another, to share comfort, and to find strength in connection” on Thursday, October 24. Hundreds attended the vigil.
They have also offered “Helping Your Child Through Grief,” an “informative and compassionate presentation” held on Monday, October 27, aimed at helping parents support their children.
Red and green ribbons, signifying Danny and Chance’s favorite colors, now adorn nearly every post and tree along major streets in Manhattan, and a spontaneous gathering of flowers, messages of comfort, stuffed animals, candles, and balloons serves as a memorial to Chance near the site of his accident.
The Manhattan Fire Protection District’s first responders were given debriefing resources, including a visit from the New Lenox Fire Protection District and Willie, the comfort dog.
At Manhattan’s board meeting, Village Administrator Jeff Wold, the former police chief, detailed support services offered to the Manhattan Police Department, including critical incident stress debriefing for police officers.
Wold reassured the community that stress, nightmares, and upset are normal after this type of incident, but if they continue beyond a few days, seek help.
“The police department has resources they can refer you to. We have a mental health professional that’s on our staff on a part-time basis who can help out. Don’t suffer alone. Get some help,” Wold urged.
For those wanting to help the families, a GoFundMe has been established to benefit Chance Hunnicutt’s family: www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-hunnicutt-family, and aMeal Train has been established for the Bayles family: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/0d8glz.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.