Northwestern Student Fatally Struck By Cement Truck While Biking

By Stephen Gossett in News on Sep 23, 2016 2:07PM

An 18-year-old female student at Northwestern University was fatally struck by a cement truck near the school, in Evanston, on Thursday afternoon, according to a statement from police.

The victim—identified as Chuyuan Qiu, a first-year student from China, by the Tribune—was exiting a school parking lot, at Northwestern Pl. and Sheridan Rd., at around 5 p.m. when she was struck, according to police. The Tribune reports that Qiu was hit by one of the cement truck's wheels and thrown underneath the vehicle.

Qi was not responsive when paramedics arrived. She was taken to Evanston North Shore University Hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to an Evanston Police Department release.

The driver of the truck, a 38-year-old Des Plaines man, was not issued a citation at the scene. Evanston Police Department spokesman Perry Polinski told Chicagoist that preliminary investigations showed the truck driver had a green light.

There are no bike lanes along that stretch of road. A plan to add bike lanes to Sheridan Rd. was delayed until next year to prevent heavy traffic buildup while other construction projects take place. The addition of protected bike lanes on Dodge Ave. in Evanston resulted in some public outcry.

The Tribune reports that Qi began her studies at Northwestern just this fall.

This post has been updated.