Young Round Lake Beach Bicyclist Killed By Driver Identified

Jose Antonio Zamudio
Courtesy Daily Herald

Summer vacation had just started for 11 year old Jose Antonio Zamudio who was killed by the driver of a pickup truck yesterday as he rode his bike near his home in Round Lake Beach, according to the Daily Herald. He would have been an eighth grader at Round Lake Middle School located less than half a mile from the crash scene.  Teachers interviewed by the Herald fondly remembered Jose as a good student who was well-liked by everyone.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Lotus Drive and Rollins Road.  (Click here to learn more about the crash.)  Though the matter is still under investigation "a preliminary examination showed Zamudio died from massive head trauma," Lake County Coroner Artis Yancey told the Herald.  The news report stated that the boy was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.  However, the speed the truck was traveling at the time of the crash has not been reported.  It is not clear whether use of a helmet would have saved Jose's life. Neither state statute nor local ordinance required Jose to wear a helmet while riding his bike.