Tragedy at Toys for Tots Parade

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Dec 6, 2004 1:03PM

What started out as a day of charity and fun ended up in tragedy when a DuPage Country Sherriff's deputy, Frank Griseto, was killed. Police say a car driven by Arcirio Rodriguez struck Griseto's motorcycle during the Toys for Tots charity parade.

Yesterday was the 27th year of the Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade and Griseto often participated. The parade begins at 83rd St & Western Ave and travels north to Foster Ave where 30,000 participants deliver Christmas toys for needy children at the US Marines Corps Reserve.

Griseto was 55 years old and from Downers Grove. On Tuesday he was set to retire from his job as a deputy sheriff in Dupage County. Rodriguez, who is 74 years old, reportedly turned his car from Cornelia onto Western, directly into the path of oncoming motorcycle riders. There was a lull between the motorcycles and that's when the car came out from a side street and tried to make a turn and they hit. Rodriguez was taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition on Sunday night.

Photo: chicagolandtft.org