Boy, 11, Dies After Falling from Vehicle
Foul play is not suspected in Oswego-area accident Saturday afternoon.
An 11-year-old Oswego-area boy has died from injuries sustained in a freak accident Saturday afternoon on Rickard Drive near Route 34.
William Furukawa fell from the rear passenger window of an SUV driven by his father's fiancee while it traveled slowly down Rickard Drive at about 2:20 p.m. Saturday, according to a Kendall County Sheriff’s Office release. After falling to the pavement, William was rushed to Rush-Copley Medical Center and then transferred to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he was pronounced dead at about 9 p.m. Sunday.
William recently finished fifth grade at Autumn Creek Elementary School in Yorkville, District 115 Superintendent Scott Wakeley said.
The accident occurred after the vehicle the boy was in began to experience mechanical failure near Rickard on Saturday. The vehicle stalled after it turned off of Route 34. After the vehicle stopped, three of the five children in the vehicle exited the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
A postal carrier then stopped to help, and the driver was able to get the car restarted, the sheriff’s office said. The driver told the children to get back in the car. A 12-year-old was told to walk to the driver's parents’ home on Rickard Drive about a quarter of a mile away. The boy was to tell the driver's parents that the driver was experiencing car trouble, the release said.
As the vehicle restarted and boy's father's fiancee began to slowly drive up Rickard, William unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned out the rear passenger-side window to motion to his older brother. That’s when he fell from the vehicle and struck the ground, the sheriff’s office said.
The vehicle was stopped immediately and his father's fiancee called for help.
“The investigation into this incident continues, but the death appears accidental,” the sheriff’s office said. “Foul play is not suspected.”
This story has been updated to reflect the correct day of the accident. Also, the driver of the vehicle was the fiancee of William's father, according to the Kendall County sheriff's office. We regret the errors.
In This article
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Village of Oswego Village Hall
100 Parkers Mill Road, Oswego, I -
Autumn Creek Elementary School
2377 Autumn Creek Blvd, Yorkville, IL
Smokingdiesel
12:19 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
That it absolutely terrible and so tragic! I feel for the family
Yorkvillian
12:49 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
What a truly horrible accident !
Richard R
12:54 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Sorry to hear about this. Another person taking way to early in life
oswego mom
12:58 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
...what is going on? This is too too much, so much tragedy and pain lately involving our children in the area...my heart and condolences go out to this family.
CRM
1:01 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
My Prayers to this family. How very tragic.
justadude
1:53 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
so many sad sad stories with a lot of our local young people over the last couple weeks.
Rest in peace
2:02 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
We are going to miss you will! You will never be forgotten! I'm going to miss you little bro... Me and your sister are praying for you!
Amy Kehl
2:40 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
So sad and tragic. Poor mom. Hopefully she will know this is not her fault so she can grieve without guilt. God bless this family!!!
crystal
3:08 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
There aren't any words for all these tragedy's happening to our children. Prayers grps should be formed...our children need our prayers.
crystal
3:08 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
There aren't any words for all these tragedy's happening to our children. Prayers grps should be formed...our children need our prayers.
Rest in peace
3:48 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Thanks everyone for praying for them... His sister is one of my best friends. Keep praying for him and his family. We will never forget you will aka jean! Rest in peace buddy.
Barb Murphy
8:55 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
My son attended ACES with William and was in his 5th grade class. We are deeply saddened by hearing of this tragic accident and loss. Ethan knew William as "Gene" and has nothing but wonderful things to say about him! Please know we will be keeping you in our thoughts and praying for all of you. Ethan Murphy and family
Ilovemykids0123
8:55 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Many prayers sent to this family. My daughter attends school with him and his brother. To many young tragedy's are happening in our community. I can't even begin to imagine the pain this poor family is going through. Please know you son/brother an angel watching you. Rest in peace little man!!
Rest in peace William.
9:00 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
I know him, he went to my school. May God keep him in good hands. R.I.P. William Furukawa
Melissa
9:19 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
My son attended the same school as him and was in his brothers class...He would like to start a fundraiser for the family....if anyone can relay the message to the family it would be greatly appreciated...I can be emailed at missyi1972@gmail.com
Chris
10:48 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Gene was our neighbor for a while and he was a sweet little boy. He was good to my little ones and always made them laugh. My heart goes out to all his family and friends. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace little guy! You will be missed dearly!
betsy k
8:47 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
So so heart wrenching. Prayers and strength to his family. To much tragedy to start the summer. Everyone please stay safe. May God be with them at this extremely difficult time.
robert veach
10:22 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
How can a young boy die from falling 4 feet? I am confused and horrified.
justagirl
9:30 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
There seems to be something missing from this story. As someone who personally knew Gene very well, I am heartbroken and also frusterated/confused. Such a waste of a promising young life.
Concerned
3:15 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I too wonder about missing details. Gene was a sweetheart, I knew him as a 7 year old.
LaLa Kaminski
5:03 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
My daughter goes to his school. Think that I have seen him before. This makes me cry because knowing that I've seen him before and now he is gone is hard to hear.
This is what I put n my daughter' school yearbook: My thoughts & prayers go out to William Gene Furukawa's family. No one should have to say goodbye to a child. He should be here enjoying the summer. R.I.P Gene
Taniah W.
5:03 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
We are praying for the family!! May God bless and heal them all!!!!! Taniah & Avery
Haily
12:30 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Unfortuntaley, the newspaper is still incorrect in the facts. The woman driving was not the father's finance but a family friend was watching the childern. Gene's mom and step mom are grieving deeply for the lose of their son but would like the truth to be spoken first. This is a tragic accident that never should have occured due to the gross negligence of the people the childern were left with.
Lacey Faith
10:03 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I feel bad. I was in his class we were friends. Rest in peace Gene. Love ya! As a friend <3
Paige Faith
7:22 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The moment I heard My heart was broken. Poor Gene everyone was so mean to him, I was in Fifth Grade and I knew him. I feel so bad for his family, he deserved to get married and have children and live his life.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
Rest In Peace Gene
-Paige P.
Paige Faith
9:42 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I feel bad too Lacey its such a tragedy!
not trying to be mean or anything its just the truth that you were mean to him and also you were not in his class
-Paige P.
Alexa Roehr
8:20 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I feel so bad!! That's horrible! R.I.P Gene!