A 7-year-old boy who was critically injured after he and a dog were hit by a car in Beach Park earlier this month remains hospitalized but his condition is improving, authorities said.
The incident happened around 9:20 a.m. on April 1 in the area of Emily’s Pancake House, 38730 North Sheridan Road in Beach Park.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ari Briskman said a 29-year-old Beach Park woman was driving a silver 2005 Ford Explorer on Sheridan Road north of Chaney Avenue.
A 7-year-old boy and a dog, both of whom were from Beach Park, entered the roadway and were struck by the Ford as it traveled northbound.
The child was transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with critical injuries, Briskman said.
The child was later transferred to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago where he remains admitted, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said on Monday.
The dog was deceased after the crash and was removed from the scene by bystanders, Briskman said.
The driver of the Ford Explorer, who was the sole occupant in the vehicle, was not injured and remained at the scene.
Briskman said the driver is cooperating in the investigation. Impairment is not believed to be a factor.
“He [the child] is making improvements every day and is expected to be discharged, but we don’t know exactly when yet,” Covelli said.
Based on preliminary information, excessive speed is not believed to be a contributing factor in the crash, Covelli said.
No citations have been issued yet as the crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Technical Crash Investigation Unit.
The case will be reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office upon the conclusion of the investigation.