Will County coroner identifies man killed after motorcycle crashes into bus carrying 15 kids

WILL COUNTY, Ill. - A man was killed after a motorcycle crashed into a school bus carrying 15 children in Will County Wednesday afternoon. 

At about 3:17 p.m., Will County Sheriff's deputies responded to the 24000 block of West Shepley Road in Troy Township in response to a crash with injuries. 

According to preliminary information, a school bus carrying 15 kids was stopped on Shepley Road when a two-passenger motorcycle struck the back end of the bus.

The sheriff's office said the passengers, one male and one female, suffered injuries. The female was seriously hurt but was conscious. She was transported to an area hospital. 

The male passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The Will County coroner identified the man as 50-year-old Jeffrey M. Santora, of Shorewood.

The children on the bus suffered no injuries and were moved away from the scene. Their parents/caretakers were contacted and released.

The following letter was sent to Minooka Intermediate School and Minooka Junior High School families by the school after the crash: 

"This afternoon, Bus 96 Intermediate/Junior High route was involved in an accident wherein a motorcycle struck the bus while it was stopped.  All students are safe and no students were harmed during this incident.  The outcome of the accident and the well-being of the motorcyclists is unknown; however, the accident scene was graphic and viewable to students.  

"We understand that this may have been a distressing experience for your child. The incident may have exposed them to scenes that are gruesome and difficult to process, and we want to address any concerns or provide support as needed.

"Our social work and counseling services are available to provide assistance to students who may need it. We encourage you to talk to your child about their feelings and reactions to the event, and to reach out to us if you have any specific concerns or require additional support.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time."