Students Mourn Death Of Classmate Killed Days Before 8th Grade Graduation

(CBS) -- On the eve of their graduation, eighth graders at a school in the far west suburbs are mourning the death of one of their classmates reports WBBM's Regine Schlesinger.

It happened on Saturday evening in Maple Park where Parker Wolfsmith, an eighth grader about to graduate, was hit by a train and killed. Maple Park Police are investigating.

Kaneland School Supt. Dr. Jeff Schuler says everyone at Harter Middle School is in shock.

"He was a fun-loving student. He was somebody certainly well-liked within our community."

Dr. Schuler says it's the second tragedy to hit that class in just over a year. Last year, Caitlyn Phillips died in a skateboarding accident. Dr. Schuler says it's been a tough time for these children.

"They've been certainly resilient and have come together as a close school community."

Crisis counselors are on hand to help. The eighth graders will graduate Tuesday night.