Makenna M. Maurisak, a 24-year-old Manhattan woman, was killed Thursday as a result of a crash with a school bus on eastbound Manhattan-Monee Road in Manhattan Township, the Will County coroner’s office reported Friday.
Illinois State Police said the accident occurred at 8:17 a.m. just west of School House Road.
Preliminary information indicates a Chevrolet Malibu sedan driven by Maurisak was traveling east while the school bus was heading west, Illinois State Police said Friday.
“For an unknown reason, the driver of the Chevrolet Malibu lost control of their vehicle and crossed over the center boundary line into the westbound lanes,” police said.
The front of the school bus struck the passenger side of the Chevrolet Malibu, police said.
The school bus was transporting students from Manhattan Elementary District 114, officials said. Ten children and the school bus driver were taken to Silver Cross Hospital as a precaution, but no serious injuries were reported.
All students were released to their parents by Thursday afternoon, District 114 said.
State police said Friday they are continuing their investigation and did not have more information.
Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen called it a heartbreaking tragedy, and pointed to recent efforts to get the state to address safety concerns on roads it maintains near and in the village, including a meeting with the 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.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/manhattan-woman-driver-crash-school-bus/
