By Stephanie Irvine

Efforts to improve the intersection of Route 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 some 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, Route 52, which narrowly curves past historic buildings on both sides of the street, and North Street, a residential area in Manhattan that eventually reaches Interstate 57 in neighboring Monee.

Manhattan sits in a precarious location between two major trucking hubs: To the west of Manhattan is the largest inland port in North America, CenterPoint Intermodal, 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 Route 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 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 said.

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 over 140 tickets, 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.

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

Adrieansen issued a statement highlighting what the village has done and is currently 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.

He detailed what the village is doing, including requesting IDOT add Route 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.

“It’s unfortunate that this happened — that it ever happens,” Adrieansen said solemnly, 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 and promised to help alleviate the traffic problems.

“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.

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.

Castaneda confirmed IDOT is conducting a traffic study of Route 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.

Ongoing Community Support

As the community navigates the loss, Manhattan School District 114’s response to the tragedy included bringing 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.

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 a Meal Train has been established for the Bayles family: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/0d8glz.

Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.