Manhattan, Illinois — The heart of this small town cracked open Thursday morning when 24-year-old Makenna M. Maurisak of Manhattan lost her life in a head-on collision with a school bus carrying elementary students. The crash on Manhattan-Monee Road has left residents grieving and sparked fresh calls for safer roads in the tight-knit community southwest of Chicago.
It was just after 8:15 a.m. when Maurisak’s eastbound car crossed the centerline near the intersection of Manhattan-Monee and Kankakee roads. For reasons still under review, her vehicle collided with a westbound Manhattan School District 114 bus carrying 10 young students and a driver.
First responders from the Manhattan Fire Protection District and state police rushed to the scene and found the bus with significant front-end damage. Despite the violent impact, all students and the bus driver were evaluated on site and then transported to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox as a precaution. Thankfully, none suffered serious injuries, according to authorities.
Maurisak was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:35 a.m., as confirmed by the Will County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy and toxicology tests are expected to determine the final cause and manner of death later this week.
Family members, friends, and neighbors have been left devastated by the sudden loss. Local officials, including Manhattan’s mayor, noted in statements that this tragedy underscores ongoing safety concerns on state-maintained roads — particularly Manhattan-Monee Road, where several serious crashes have occurred in recent years. The village has repeatedly urged the Illinois Department of Transportation to consider additional traffic safety improvements.
Parents of the children on the bus described a chilling scene, with students shaken but physically unharmed. District leaders and emergency crews worked through the day to reunite families and support students emotionally after what many described as a frightening morning.
Illinois State Police continue to investigate exactly what led Maurisak’s car to cross into oncoming traffic. They have not released further details yet, and authorities say more information may become available as the inquiry unfolds.
