By Erin Meyer, Chicago Tribune –
CHICAGO — The third Lake Forest High School student struck and killed by a Metra train in the Chicago area since the beginning of the year has been identified as the son of Lake Forest College President Stephen Schutt.
The body of man believed to be about 18 years old was discovered Sunday morning by police near the tracks south of Old Elm Road. The victim’s father confirmed Sunday night that the man was Lake Forest High School senior Edward Schutt.
“We miss him very much,” Schutt said.
Edward Schutt is the third student to be fatally struck by the train in less than three months. The first victim, Lake Forest High School sophomore Farid Hussain, 15, died Jan. 9.
With the community and student body still struggling to come to grips with the tragedy, William Laskero-Teskoski, 15, was struck and killed near the 1400 block of North Western Avenue in the morning of Feb. 28 by a train going to Chicago from Kenosha, Wis., according to Metra. Laskero-Teskoski was a good student, an athlete and well-like by his peers, the principal said following the second incident.
In a statement issued Sunday, Lake Forest High School Principal Jay Hoffmann broke the news of Schutt’s death in an e-mail Sunday to parents.
“It is with indescribable (sorrow) that I am writing once again to inform you of the loss of one of our students,” he said in the e-mail. “Early Sunday morning, senior Edward Schutt was hit by a Metra train and has died.”
Hoffmann also described Schutt as a good student.
“Ed was a talented and bright student and will be missed,” he said. “We send our deepest sympathies to the family as the LFHS school community mourns the loss of one of our own.”
Police said it appeared that Schutt had been struck by the train. Lake County coroner Artis Yancey said the man’s injuries were consistent with his having been struck by a train.
An examination of the man’s body will be made to determine whether an autopsy will be needed, Yancey said.
