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The Herald-News

Manhattan woman identified as driver killed in collision with school bus

Makenna M. Maurisak, 24, killed in crash

A Manhattan School District 114 bus is towed away from the scene of a crash that occurred on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. The bus was carrying 10 students when it collided with a passenger vehicle near the intersection of Manhattan Monee Road and Kankakee Road in southeastern Will County.

Makenna M. Maurisak, 24, of Manhattan has been identified as the driver killed in a collision with a school bus on Thursday morning.

The collision occurred on Manhattan-Monee Road in Manhattan Township, near Kankakee Street and west of Schoolhouse Road in southeastern Will County.

Maurisak was pronounced dead at 11:35 a.m. at the scene of the crash, which occurred about 8:17 a.m., according to the news release from the Will County Coroner’s Office on Friday.

State police on Friday released some additional details on the accident as their investigation continues.

The location where a Manhattan School District 114 bus collided with a passenger vehicle, near the intersection of Manhattan Monee Road and Kankakee Road, in southeastern Will County on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.

Maurisak was headed east in a Chevrolet Malibu and the school bus was moving west when the collision occurred, according to preliminary findings by state police.

“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,” according to the release from state police. “The front of the school bus struck the passenger side of the Chevrolet Malibu.”

The school bus as it was towed away from the scene could be seen with its front end smashed in.

The driver of the school bus and 10 Manhattan elementary school children were taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox for minor injuries but in good condition, according to the Manhattan Fire Protection District.

Bob Okon

Bob Okon

Bob Okon covers local government for The Herald-News