A tragic accident occurred Monday evening at the intersection of Reuter Drive and Grove Street in Arlington Heights when 16-year-old Samuel Alvaro Acevedo was fatally injured after his e-bicycle collided with a pickup truck. The crash took place on September 15, when police determined the northbound e-bicycle struck the rear passenger door of a gray 2021 Ford F150 that was traveling eastbound on Grove Street. Emergency responders immediately transported Acevedo to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he was pronounced dead despite medical efforts. The Arlington Heights Police Department's investigation revealed that the e-bicycle operator was traveling at an estimated 30 to 40 mph when he entered the intersection, reportedly running a stop sign that controls northbound traffic on Reuter Drive. The young victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. The pickup truck driver was uninjured and showed no signs of impairment. Grove Street was temporarily closed to facilitate the accident investigation, and the victim was later identified as a student at Rolling Meadows High School.

Location and Infrastructure

The intersection of Reuter Drive and Grove Street is located in a residential area of Arlington Heights, a northwest suburb of Chicago in Cook County. This particular intersection features a stop sign controlling northbound traffic on Reuter Drive, while eastbound traffic on Grove Street has the right-of-way without stop control. The area is characterized by typical suburban development with residential neighborhoods nearby. Grove Street serves as a collector road in this section of Arlington Heights, carrying moderate traffic volumes between residential areas and connecting to larger arterial roads. The intersection's traffic control configuration, with only one direction required to stop, is common in suburban residential areas but can create visibility and judgment challenges for cyclists and motorists alike. Local traffic patterns in this area typically include commuter traffic during peak hours and residential traffic throughout the day. The proximity to Rolling Meadows High School means the area may experience increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic during school hours, making awareness of vulnerable road users particularly important for drivers in this corridor.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Illinois law, bicycle operators have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle operators, and this extends to e-bicycles, which are classified as bicycles when meeting specific power and speed requirements. Illinois Vehicle Code requires cyclists to obey traffic control devices, including stop signs, and mandates that riders under 16 wear protective helmets. The state follows comparative negligence principles, meaning that fault can be apportioned between parties based on their respective contributions to an accident. In fatal accident cases, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims under Illinois law, which allows for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future earnings, and loss of companionship. Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and uninsured motorist coverage may provide benefits regardless of fault determination. Illinois imposes a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death actions and personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle accidents. Given the involvement of a minor and the tragic outcome, thorough investigation of all contributing factors, including road design, visibility conditions, and adherence to traffic laws, becomes crucial for any legal proceedings. Families affected by such accidents should consult with experienced personal injury attorneys familiar with bicycle accident law and wrongful death claims in Illinois. An experienced Arlington Heights electric bicycle accident lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Arlington Heights Police Department: (847) 368-5300
• Arlington Heights Fire Department: (847) 368-5400
• Advocate Lutheran General Hospital: (847) 723-2210

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Illinois Department of Transportation Bicycle Safety: IDOT Bike Safety
• Cook County Sheriff's Traffic Safety Division: (847) 635-1188
• Arlington Heights Traffic Safety Information: (847) 368-5300

Support Services:

• Rolling Meadows High School Counseling Services: (847) 718-7600
• Cook County Crisis Response Services: (708) 377-7200
• Illinois Victim Rights and Services: (217) 785-6100
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Illinois: (312) 346-9811

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Illinois Vehicle Code - Bicycle Regulations: Illinois General Assembly
• Illinois Secretary of State Rules of the Road: Cyberdriveillinois.com
• Cook County Traffic Court Information: (708) 232-4400