The driver of a passenger car was killed Thursday morning after a head-on collision with a school bus on eastbound Manhattan-Monee Road, just west of School House Road in Will County.
The Will County coroner’s office identified the driver as 24-year-old Makenna M. Maurisak, of Manhattan, who was pronounced dead at 11:35 a.m. Thursday.
Illinois State Police are investigating the deadly accident that took place at 8:17 a.m. and closed all eastbound and westbound lanes until nearly 1 p.m., police said in a news release.
The Manhattan Fire Protection District responded to the scene at about 8:25 a.m. and evaluated the school bus driver and 10 children who were on the bus, a news release from the fire district said.
Due to the severity of the accident, all children and the driver were taken to the hospital for precautionary measures, but no major injuries have been reported, according to the fire district.
Manhattan Elementary District 114 officials also responded and assisted with care and contacted parents. The students’ ages or grade levels were not released.
“Families of the students involved were notified as soon as information became available and were kept informed throughout the response,” a statement from District 114 said. “All students were evaluated at the scene by emergency medical personnel and, out of an abundance of caution, were transported to Silver Cross Hospital for further evaluation.
“At this time, we can confirm that all students have been released from the hospital and are now with their families.”
“Our hearts are with everyone impacted by this tragic incident,” District 114 Superintendent Damien Aherne said in a statement. “We are grateful for the swift response of our first responders and our school staff, whose priority was ensuring the safety and well-being of our students. We will continue to provide support to our students and their families during this difficult time.”
Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen called it a heartbreaking tragedy, and pointed to recent efforts for the state to address safety concern on roads in maintains near and in the village, including a meeting with Illinois Department of Transportation Nov. 25, 2025.
“Following that meeting, traffic safety changes were implemented on state-maintained roads, and we will continue advocating for additional improvements to help prevent future tragedies,” Adrieansen said in a statement.
The crash is still under investigation, Illinois State Police said.
A cause of the crash has not yet been released.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
